THEORY AND PRACTICE 



OF 



VETERINARY 
MEDICINE 



NOTES TAKEN FROM 
LECTURES 

DELIVERED BY 

A. H. BAKER, V. S. 

Professor of Theory and Practice at the Chicago Veterinary College 



SECOND EDITION 
REVISED 



CHICAGO 

ALEXANDER EGER 

PUBLISHER 

1909 



a* 

— » N 






LIBRARY cf CONGRESS 
Two Cooiev Pscerved 

DEC 28 1908 

Copyrig.it ....try 

YWv,\iVtr tor 
CLASS <X _ XXC, No, 

COPY 8, 



COPYRIGHTED 

AT WASHINGTON, D. C. 

1908 

BY ALEXANDER EGER 



C i~ 



PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION 



The frequently expressed desire of Veterinary Students and 
Practitioners for a small and concise work on Veterinary Theory 
and Practice has prompted me to publish this little book of Stu- 
dent's notes. 

The similar edition issued several years ago was much appre- 
ciated by both students and practitioners to whom also I believe 
this new issue will be as -welcome. 

This being merely a book of student's notes the language used 
is somewhat free and non-technical, a fact that will, I hope, be 
excused by the critical reader. 
; A. E. 



CONTENTS, 



Introduction . . . . 10 

The Institutes of Medicine 11 

Classification of Disease 13 

The Blood . . . . : 13 

Pulse : 15 

Temperature 18 

Congestion 19 

Results of Passive Congestion 22 

Results of Active Congestion 23 

Thrombosis and Embolism 24 

Inflammation 26 

Death 28 

How to Kill a Horse 32 

Nosology 33 

Rational Treatment of Disease in General 35 

Rational Treatment of a Fever 35 

Respiratory Diseases 39 

Rhinitis 41 

Laryngitis 46 

Chronic Laryngitis . . . 50 

Quinsy 53 

Diptheria 55 

Bronchitis 55 

Heaves or Pulmonary Emphysema 61 

Asthma 67 

Pulmonary Congestion 68 

Pneumonia 71 

Pleurisv 79 



6 contents. 

Diseases of the Digestive System 88 

Anatomy and Physiology 88 

Phenomena of the Digestive Organs 90 

Diseases of the Mouth 91 

Congestion of the muccal membrane 90 

Stomatitis 92 

Glossitis 93 

Parotiditis 94 

Ptialism 95 

Salivary Fistula 96 

Salivary Calculi 97 

Diseases of the Throat 98 

Pharyngitis 98 

Diseases of the Oesophagus 98 

Oesophagitis 98 

Oesophagismus 99 

Chocking 100 

Diseases of the Stomach 103 

Vomition 103 

Indigestion 104 

Acute Gastric Indigestion 108 

Chronic Gastric Indigestion 108 

Gastritis HI 

Chronic Gastritis 113 

Rupture of the Stomach 114 

Constipation Ho 

Diarrhoea 1-1 

Acute Diarrhoea 1-3 

Chronic Diarrhoea 1-4 

Colic 126 

Flatulent Colic 1-9 

Intestinal Obstructions 132 

Eversion of the Rectum 135 

Haemorrhoids 136 

Rupture of the Intestinal Wall 137 

Enteritis 138 

Peritonitis 1^0 

Dysentery ■ H-l 



CONTENTS. 7 

Diseases of the Abdominal Glands 143 

Liver-Spleen-Pancreas 143 

Congestion of the Liver 143 

Hepatitis 146 

Chronic Hepatitis 146 

Fatty Degeneration 147 

Icterus 147 

Constitutional or Blood Diseases 150 

Variola 151 

Anthrax 152 

Rabies 155 

Glanders 157 

Strangles 167 

Bnrsatti 169 

Botryomycosis . . . 170 

Corn Stalk Disease 171 

Surra - 171 

Influenza 172 

Purpura Hsemorrhagica 174 

. Scarlatina . . . 176 

Rheumatism 177 

Lymphangitis 181 

Epizootic Lymphangitis 183 

Azoturia .' 185 

Diseases of the Circulatory System 189 

Palpitation 190 

Cyanosis 192 

Syncope » , 192 

Acute Inflammatory Diseases 193 

Pericarditis 193 

Endocarditis 194 

Myocarditis 197 

Hypertrophy and Atrophy 198 

Fatty Degeneration 199 

Polypi or Tumors of the Heart 200 

Rupture 200 

Diseases of the Blood Vessels 201 

Arteritis 201 



8 CONTENTS. 

Aneurism 201 

Phlebitis 202 

Varix 202 

Diseases of the Urinary System 202 

Albuminuria 204 

Hematuria 205 

Diabetes Insipidus 206 

Diabetes Mellitus . 207 

Oxaluria 208 

Renal Congestion 209 

Nephritis 209 

Renal Calculus 211 

Cystitis 212 

Dysuria 212 

Ischuria 214 

Enuresis 214 

Urethritis 215 

Tumors 216 

Cysts 220 

Diseases of the Bones 222 

Atrophy of Bone 226 

Constitutional Osteoporosis 226 

Osteomalacia 227 

Rachitis 228 

Healing of Bone 229 

Diseases of the Nervous System 231 

Cerebral Congestion 231 

Cerebral Anaemia, Embolus, Apoplexy and Meningitis 232 

Cerebral Softening 234 

Myelitis and Paresis 235 

Hydrocephalus ' 236 

Tabes Dorsalis 237 

Tetanus 238 

Chorea 241 

Diseases of the Reproductive System 242 

Simple Pox 242 

Malignant Pox 242 

Urethritis, Phimosis 244 



CONTENTS. 9 

Paraphimosis 245 

Dropsy of the Ovaries 245 

Hydrometra, Nymphomania, Hysteria 246 

Leucorrhoea-Onanism 242 

Diseases of the Organs of Special Sence 247 

Simple Ophthalmia 247 

Hsematoides Fungus 248 

Entropium, Ectropium, Leucoma 249 

Ulceration of the Cornea 250 

Keratitis 250 

Filaria Oculi 251 

Amaurosis 25 1 

Detachment of the Retina 252 

Staphyloma 253 

Periodic Ophthalmia 253 

Sun Stroke 256 

Death by Lightning - 258 



INTRODUCTION. 



HE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE is 
both a science and an art. As a science it inquires into 
the existence, conditions, nature and causes of disease. 
A science relates to facts ; it is not theory, it can be demonstrated. 
The existence, conditions, and nature of the case, the location of 
the disease, the causes of it, — these are all facts. 

As an art Veterinary Medicine directs its efforts toward the 
prevention, treatment, and recognition of disease. It used to be 
considered as an art only ; but now, the world over, it is re- 
garded as a scientific profession. 

What is disease? Disease is any deviation from the normal 
condition, i. e., from health. Health is best and most concisely 
defined as the condition in which all the vital organs perform 
their functions rythmically. A disorder in one organ upsets 
the others. Health implies that all are working in harmony. 



THE INSTITUTES OF MEDICINE 



The Institutes of Medicine are necessary in order to facili- 
tate the study of disease. 

Disease is either functional or organic. A functional disease 
is one in which the physiological action is disturbed, but does 
not show pathological lesions or morbid anatomy. A disease is 
organic when it gives indication of morbid anatomy. A dis- 
ease may be both functional and organic ; but it may be purely 
functional without showing any change of structure, the physi- 
ological action alone being disturbed. Hence a good knowledge of 
physiology and anatomy is necessary in order to understand 
disease,— physiology for the functional diseases and anatomy 
and histology for the organic. 

Pathology is the doctrine of disease, i. e., it is the doctrine 
of everything connected with morbid conditions, either func- 
tional or organic. It is divided into: 

1. General Pathology. 

2. Special Pathology. 

General Pathology treats of diseased conditions in general 
without reference to any special case. Special Pathology takes 
into consideration specific diseases and treats of their morbid 

anatomy. 

Under general pathology the following factors come into con- 
sideration : • 

1. Etiology — Cause. 

2. Symptomatology — Semeiology. 

3. Pathogeny— Pathogenesis (the genera- 

tion, production and development of 
disease). 

4. Nosology — Classification. 



12 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

5. Diagnosis — Recognition of the form 

and kind. 

6. Prognosis — Probable termination. 

7. Morbid Anatomy — Structural changes 

produced by the disease. 

8. Hygiene — Prevention of disease by 

good management. 

9. Therapeutics — Medicinal ' indications. 
Etiology.— The causes of disease are divided into two 

classes, predisposing and exciting. The predisposing arise 
within the body,— they are intrinsic. Conformation and hered- 
ity are examples. Consider a case of purpura hemorrhagica, a 
specific disease due to the action of some microbe on the red. 
blood corpuscles. This germ lives especially in dirty stables, 
but is resisted by animals in good health; let the animals be- 
come debilitated, however, and microbian invasion occurs. The 
debilitation may be caused by a decayed tooth, by poor digestion, 
etc., and we call these predisposing causes. A narrow chest and 
straight ribs predisposes an animal to chest diseases; a sickle 
hock to curb; a straight hock to bone spavin. 

The exciting causes of disease in the horse are : 

1. Overwork or too little work. 

2. Exposure to extreme changes of tem- 

perature and to other meteorological 
conditions. 

3. Indigestible and impure food. 

4. Poisons, foul drinking water and con- 

tagions. 

Symptomatology.— -The symptoms of disease are the signs, 
changes, actions, inclinations, and feelings expressed by the ani- 
mal. It covers everything that can be noticed as differing from the 
normal. In order for a practitioner to be able to recognize these, 
he must first be familiar with the normal habits of the various 
species of animals. For everything differing from the normal is 
a symptom of disease. 

Pathogeny. — The generation of disease relates to its minute 
cause, for example a bacterium; the production indicates how 
the disease is produced by the cause; the development is the 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 13 

result of the action of the cause. Tuberculosis is produced 
by the multiplication of the bacillus of tuberculosis, and this 
bacillus causes the disease ; caseation, cell-infiltration, and miliary 
tubercles are the result of the germ action. 

Diagnosis.— -To be able to diagnose is to succeed, either in 
veterinary practice or in the human. Next comes logical rea- 
soning power — to be able to put the symptoms together. The 
veterinarian cannot ask his patient anything, and he must arrive 
at his own conclusions from what he sees. 

Hygiene. — This relates to diet, ventilation, drainage and 
general management (housing, blanketing, feeding and exer- 
cise). Seventy-five per cent of one's practice is produced by 
the bad management of the owners of animals. 

CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES. 

Diseases are divided into three classes, epizootic, enzootic, 
and - sporadic. An epizootic disease attacks large numbers of 
animals over a large tract of country; there is no local cause. 
Any specific disease may become epizootic, as influenza in 
horses. An enzootic disease is due to a local cause and it may 
also attack large numbers over a large tract of country. Spe- 
cific diseases are at times enzootic; glanders might be or rabies. 
A sporadic disease is one which occurs in single scattered cases 
without specificity. Diseases of this kind are non-contagious 
diseases. 

THE BLOOD. 

Arterial blood is scarlet; venous blood is blue; dead blood 
is black. Under the microscope blood is nearly colorless. It is 
made up of water and salts and the red and white blood cor- 
puscles. It also contains fibrin forming elements ; fibrin itself 
does not appear in the circulating blood. The function of the 
blood is to carry nutrition. If the circulation is disturbed a 
disturbance of the nutrition will occur. Some parts of the body 
suffer more from interrupted nutrition than others, the brain 
for instance. The amount of intelligence in an animal depends 
upon the amount and character of the brain circulation. 



14 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

The composition of the blood is as follows : 

Water 784 parts to 1000 

Corpuscles 131 parts to 1000 

Albumin, salines and ex- 
tractives 70 parts to 1000 

Fibrin 2.2 parts to 1000 

Any material change in the blood either produces disease or 
is the result of disease. If the solids increase the water de- 
creases ; if the solids decrease the water increases. An ex- 
cess of solids and a decreased amount of water is designated as 
plethora. Anaemia is the condition in which there is a de- 
crease in the solids and an increase in the water. A plethoric 
animal is said to have very rich blood ; the blood vessels are in- 
creased in size, the pulse is stronger and the mucous membranes 
are brighter. Plethora disposes the horse to certain diseases 
as azoturia for instance, and acute plethoric lymphangitis. In 
these diseases there is an excess of the solids in the blood at the 
expense of the water. Plethora itself, however, does not con- 
stitute a disease. 

The symptoms of anaemia are: 

Paleness of mucous membranes. 

Decrease in the size of the blood vessels. 

Decrease in the strength of the pulse. 

General debility. 
Liberal feeding, especially of nitrogenous food and moderate 
work are the causes of plethora. Debilitating diseases, chronic 
indigestion, and poor food, and certain parasites cause anaemia 
of the blood. 

Physiology teaches that fibrin is decreased in certain animals 
and they bleed easily. Such a condition is called hemophilia, 
where a successive hemorrhage will occur from a small wound 
For example, .a colt sweating blood is a case of hemophilia. 
Cases of castration occur in which the colts are disposed to 
bleed. Cats have more fibrin in their blood than any other ani- 
mal. It is said that you cannot bleed a cat to death. 

Fibrin is also decreased in certain diseases. In pregnancy 
there is a decreased amount of fibrin. Some idiosyncrasy may be 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 15 

a factor in causing a lack of fibrin in the blood. The function 
of fibrin is to prevent hemorrhage ; if it were not for fibrin every 
animal would bleed to death. 

Anaemic animals are lacking in fibrin; animals starving to 
death are an exception. The fibrin in their blood is increased. 
A local blister increases the fibrin in the adjacent tissues. Dur- 
ing debilitating diseases as in purpura hemorrhagica, the fibrin 
is decreased. 

PULSE. 

To define the pulse concisely is difficult; the various dic- 
tionaries give a variety of definitions. Probably the American 
Pocket Dictionary has the best. According to it the pulse 
is the expansion and contraction of the arteries as the result 
of the action of the heart. The latter part of the definition is 
necessary for the vessels are dependent upon the action of the 
heart. 

Arteries have three coats, the middle one, which consists of 
non-striated muscle, the inner one, the intima, and the outer one 
or the adventitia. The muscle is controlled by the vaso-motor 
system, which maintains the tonicity of the vessels. The vaso- 
motor system is dependent upon the general condition of the. 
body for its vitality. 

The pulse depends upon the tonicity of the arterial muscles. 

These muscles depend upon the the vaso-motor system. 

The vaso-motor system depends upon the general condition. 

A horse might appear to be in apparently good health but 
if his pulse runs up to 60 or drops a beat now and again, then 
something is wrong with him. The pulse is the index to the 
nervous system. 

The Effect of ah Acute Inflammatory Disease Upon the 
Pulse. In the first stage the nervous system is excited ; the 
pulse is strong, full, regular and increased in frequency a little. 
In the second stage the nervous system is still more excited, but 
the pulse is growing weaker. Under such a condition the pulse 
is rapid, smaller and weaker than normal. In the third stage, 
supposing it to be fatal, the general system is becoming ex- 



16 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

hausted, and the pulse keeps growing weaker until finally it 
becomes imperceptible, the heart ceases to beat and the animal 
is dead. 

The pulse of the horse varies from 35-45 beats per minute. 
Under different conditions, on account of some idiosyncrasy, or 
external influences such as heat, cold, exercise, etc., the pulse of 
the horse may be faster or slower than 35. In taking the pulse 
approach the horse slowly and quietly, and in an unconcerned 
manner place one hand high up on his nose to steady the head. 
The right hand is the best to use. Let the other feel for the 
sub-maxillary artery. Roll the artery with the fingers making 
sure of its location, and then count the pulse. Give the animal 
time to quiet down else the first count will be too high due to the 
excitement of your approach. Do not look the horse in the eye. 
It makes him nervous. 

The pulse of the ox runs from 45 to 50, with an average 
of 45. The pulse of the sheep runs from 70 to 80, with an 
average of 72 or 75. The pulse of the dog is 72, the same as 
in the human. 

In the ox it is not best to take the pulse from the sub-max- 
illary artery, for the skin over that region is thick, loose and 
pendulous, and this makes it difficult to find the pulse beat or 
if found to determine its correct character. The carotid artery 
in the neck is more suitable. Work the fingers under the mar- 
gin of the levator humeri and feel for the artery. In the sheep 
if the wool extends far down on the legs, then listen to the 
heart. 

Of the various kinds of pulse we have the following: 

1. Frequent and infrequent 

— referring to the number of beats 
per minute. Physiological conditions 
and disease cause the pulse to vary. 

2. Quick and slo w — referring to 

the actual time of each individual 
beat. 
5. L a r g e and s m a 1 1 — with refer- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 17 

ence to the volume of blood making up 
the pulse wave. 
4. Hard and sof t — this characteris- 
tic measures the compressibility of 
the artery. 
When the pulse gets very small and hard, it is said to be 
wiry — the artery feels like a wire — or thready, as it is some- 
times called. In inflammatory diseases of mucous membranes 
the pulse is not as wiry as in the inflammation of serous mem- 
branes. A pulse is soft because it is more compressible than 
normal. This is due to prostration of the nervous system. 
The softest pulse we ever meet with is that of acute bronchitis 
— a very light pressure will cut it off entirely. 

The dicrotic pulse is one composed of two beats, both 
of which correspond to one beat of the heart. The two beats 
are quite distinguishable to the touch. The phenomenon is 
only an exaggeration of what occurs in the normal pulse. After 
each systole the volume of blood in the aorta recoils, thus de- 
veloping a new positive wave, the dicrotic wave or recoil wave. 
In certain fevers when the pulse is soft this secondary wave can 
be felt. The best illustration of a dicrotic pulse can be found 
in a case of azoturia three days old. In this condition there is 
not force enough in the left ventricle to empty itself and the 
systolic action is wavering. The natural effect of this is to 
produce passive congestion in the capillaries. 

An irregu.lar pulse is non-rythmic in its action ; it 
may be irregular in frequency, i. e., it may beat at 60 and then 
jump up to 80 or 90, then drop back again. Or the pulse may 
be irregular in character ; this is apt to occur when the force of 
the heart muscle is not equal to the work it has to do. 

An intermittent pulse drops one or more beats or 
even part of a beat at intervals. The inter mittency may be reg- 
ular or irregular. Convalescent cases of pneumonia are apt to 
develop an intermittent pulse. The most common form is a 
drop of every fifth beat; an irregular intermittency may occur, 
as a drop of every fifth, seventh and seventeenth beat, etc." 



18 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

Venous Pulse. — This is seen in the jugular vein, due 
to weak cardiac action. It is produced by the blood flowing 
back into the jugular during the systolic action of the right side 
of the heart. In horses the jugular pulse always indicates a 
weak heart. In the ox and other ruminants we get the jugular 
pulse during rumination, — purely a physiological condition. 

The pulse is the most important means of making a diagnosis. 
One should become familiar with the various kinds of pulse. 
The sense of touch should be cultivated so as to be able to dif- 
ferentiate the characteristics of the pulse. 

TEMPERATURE. 

As regards the temperature of animals there are two con- 
ditions to be found; warm-blooded animals maintain an even 
temperature regardless of the surrounding medium. Cold- 
blooded animals adapt their temperature to the medium in which 
they live. All mammals are warm-blooded; amphibians, fishes 
and insects are cold-blooded. 

In a warm-blooded animal any rise in temperature denotes 
a fever ; any loss denotes waning vitality. The amount of the 
fever is measured by the number of degrees of rise in tempera- 
ture ; the subnormal temperature is measured by the number of 
degrees the temperature is lowered. 

The normal temperature of the horse is 100; if the tem- 
perature rises above 104, the case is serious, and if above 106, 
dangerous. The temperature may rise to 107, 109, or pos- 
sibly higher and recover if reduced promptly, i. e., in a few 
hours. But if a horse's temperature stands at 106 for a week 
he will die; at 107 for three days, or 109 for three hours, or 
110 for one hour, a horse will die. A sub-normal temperature 
of 93 is always fatal in the horse. In fact 2 degrees below 
normal is very dangerous and nearly always fatal. 

It is not safe to guess at the temperature, the practitioner must 
measure it with a clinical thermometer. The best place to 
take the temperature is at the anus, although there is some 
danger in inserting the thermometer. The animal may not like 
it and resist and kick. Therefore always stand to one side of 






OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 19 

the horse, he cannot kick out at the side. When inserting the 
thermometer in the anus, notice whether it is closed or not. 
In nervous prostration it is usually relaxed and the thermometer 
must be held in place. 

A sub-normal temperature may be produced artificially at a 
much lower point than it can occur in disease. The best records 
of this are in the human. Practitioner Peters took the tem- 
perature of a woman found drunk in the winter and it was 78.8 ; 
she recovered. This is the lowest case on record. It is said 
that an animal cooled to 75.2 will die. 

The following is a table of the temperature of the domestic 
animals, taken from the German with the addition of Dr. 
Baker's : 



Animal. 


No. 


of Observ. 


German. 


Baker. , 


Horse 




78 


99.9 


100 


Ox . 




16 


103.4 


101 


Sheep 




39 


103.1 


102 


Dog 




162 


102.6 


101.5 


Hog 




13 


103.4 


102 (Brog.) 


Fowls 






106.7-111 


107 



The temperature varies somewhat according to the atmos- 
pheric conditions and depends upon the amount of exercise to 
which the animal has been subjected. In taking the temperature 
the animal must be quiet, exercise raises the temperature. Driv- 
ing animals raises their temperature, especially hogs whose fat 
prevents them from cooling off. 

In conducting the mallein test for glanders in horses, the 
temperature should be taken before feeding and drinking; water 
lowers the temperature. The animals should be comfortably 
placed so as not to cause them any excitement. 

CONGESTION. 

Congestion (Latin congere, to heap up) is defined as the 
increased flow of blood to a part. It is also called hyperaemia, 
meaning an excess of blood. It is divided into Active and Pass- 
ive. The active is confined to the arterial system, the passive 



20 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

to the venous. There is "also another congestion which is 
called Hypostatic. Congestion is described with the name of 
the organ affected ; as, cerebral, hepatic, renal, etc. 

A physiological congestion may be produced by nature to 
allow the organ to perform its function. For example, as par- 
turition approaches, the mammary glands become congested in 
order to stimulate the cells to secrete the milk. Otherwise 
agalactia would be the result. 

The causes of active congestion are : 

1. Increased blood pressure. 

2. Diminished arterial resistence. 

The first is due to an obstruction m one part causing an in- 
creased volume of blood to another, thus raising the pressure 
in the vessels. At first their walls remain practically of the 
same diameter, but later on become dilated by the increased 
volume of blood. 

The second is caused by the nerves ; the vaso-constrictors be- 
come depressed and as a result the arterioles dilate. 

Whatever the irritating factor causing congestion, the imme- 
diate effect of it is a spasmodic contraction of the blood vessels. 
Dilatation then follows; the red blood corpuscles pile up in the 
enlarged lumen of the blood vessel, forming rouleaux, while the 
leucocytes take up their position along the vessel wall to 
which they apply themselves very closely. By means of their 
ameboid movements they work their way through the vessel 
into the surrounding tissues. At the same time a considerable 
amount of blood plasma has exuded into the tissues. The 
blood current has slowed down so that there is almost complete 
stasis, the blood is thicker and more viscid, and the red blood 
corpuscles may have been pressed out into the tissues either 
by diapedesis or rhexis. 

In hemorrhage by diapedesis the blood passes out into the 
tissues through the pores of the vessels, — the plasma, the leu- 
cocytes, and some few red blood corpuscles. In hemorrhage by 
rhexis the pressure is so great that a rupture occurs in the ves- 
sel wall, and the whole number of the blood elements passes 
through the rupture. As a result we get an extravasation of 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 21 

blood, a patch of tissue outside a vessel infiltrated with blood. 
Oedema is produced by hemorrhage by diapedesis. 

If the congestion in the vessel is severe enough to plug it, 
an infraction may result. The stasis of blood in the vessel cuts 
off the nutrition from the surrounding tissues and they die. 
This is most apt to occur where there is no collateral circulation. 
Petechias are small red spots formed by the blood oozing out 
through the vessel. When a more extensive hemorrhage forms, 
i. e., an extravasation of blood, it is called ecchymosis.. Hemo- 
philia is a free disposition, an abnormal tendency to bleeding. 
It is usually hereditary. 

After an excessive hemorrhage, — one that would produce 
infraction, gangrene is apt to follow. Moderate congestion 
maintained for any length of time, i. e., indefinitely, will result 
in hypertrophy. The opposite extreme, anaemia, will produce 
atrophy of a part. 

The causes of passive congestion are : 

1. Mechanical obstruction. 

2. Diminished cardiac power. 

3. Gravitation. 

4. Altered conditions of the *blood. 

5. Defective secretion. 

The last four of these causes we speak of as more compli- 
cated. The natural result of diminished cardiac power is less 
force to drive the blood through the vessels The venous sys- 
tem especially suffers. Passive congestion of the lungs is com- 
mon. 

Passive congestion by gravitation is seen in horses whose 
legs stock or swell up. The cause of this is a poor circulation in 
which the walls of the blood vessels are weak and the veins be- 
come dilated, and the blood settles in them by gravitation. 

Altered conditions of the blood are seen especially in black- 
leg, in which the quarters swell up, forming crackling tumors. 
When one of these is punctured, bloody water flows out; the 
blood is tarry from the action of the germs causing the disease. 
The swollen quarters are passively congested. 

Defective excretions in an animal cause cedematous swellings. 



22 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

In other words, the emunctories are inactive. For instance, a 
horse's legs swell — he is otherwise in good health — give him a 
purgative and the oedema will disappear. 

The topical signs of active congestion are as follows : 

1. Redness — Rubor. 

2. Enlargement and swelling of arterioles 

and thickening of their walls — Tu- 
mor. 

3. Heat — Calor. 

4. Pain — Dolor. 

5. Altered function of the affected organ. 

The swelling in active congestion is resilient — press the part 
with the finger and the depression at once vanishes. 
The topical signs of passive congestion are : 

1. Swelling of an cedematous nature, i. e., 

doughy, inelastic; swollen tissue pits 
on pressure. 

2. Congested area is sharply circum- 

scribed. 

3. Passive congestion tends to degenera- 

tion, never to inflammation. 

In active congestion the swelling is resilient, it fades away 
imperceptibly into the healthy part ; the congestion tends to 
run into inflammation on account of altered nutrition ; the liquid 
oozing through the pores of the vessels is plastic and the swell- 
ing is apt to become permanent ; and it may produce death by 
gangrene. 

In passive congestion the swelling is doughy, and is sharply 
circumscribed ; the congestion tends to degeneration, never inflam- 
mation; the liquid oozing through the pores of the veins is not 
inclined to coagulate nor organize. 

In passive congestion of the lungs an apparently paradoxical 
condition occurs because the blood leading to the lungs is ven- 
ous, although carried by arteries ; and that going away i c ar- 
terial, but carried by veins. We call it passive congestion of the 
lungs when due to defective cardiac power, and active when 
due to diminished arterial resistence. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 23 

RESULTS OF ACTIVE CONGESTION. 

When active congestion occurs in a part of considerable size 
and that in excess, moist gangrene -results. Gangrene is of two 
kinds, moist and dry. Moist gangrene occurs in tissue whose 
nutrition has been suddenly cut off and which therefore dies. 
The dead part is moist gangrene. Dry gangrene is the result 
of starvation, that, is, when the nutrition to a part is slowly 
cut off. 

In moist gangrene the part is cold, insensible, and if punc- 
tured a moisture comes out. If occurring in white skin the color 
is black. In the horse the color of the gangrenous part is not 
so well contrasted. The dead part decomposes rapidly and sul- 
phuretted hydrogen is produced, which is found in solution in 
the moisture of the decomposing mass, giving it the odor of 
rotten eggs, a most characteristic smell. A silver probe in- 
serted in the tissue will at once become black. Between the 
living and the dead parts there is a red line of demarcation. 
If the gangrenous portion is small, the part may slough off, the 
separation taking place at the line of demarcation. By getting 
rid of the dead part the life of the animal is saved; but if the 
dead portion is too large to remove, absorption of the putrefac- 
tive matters takes place and poisons the blood and kills the ani- 
mal. The dead part is usually spoken of as having a cadaver- 
ous smell. 

In the time of the outbreak of contagious pleuro-pneumonia 
in 1887, the disease was found to have existed for two years 
among the cows in the distillery sheds fed on distillery slops. 
Amongst these cows w r ere many with bob-tails and it was said 
that the bull-dogs had bitten them off. But upon inquiry it was 
found that these animals had been inoculated against pleuro- 
pneumonia, and that a careless method of inoculation (serum 
probably decomposed) had set up a violent inflammation in their 
tails. These had become gangrenous and had sloughed off. 

Moist gangrene often occurs in the lower lobe of the lung. 
The part cannot slough off and the animal dies from putrefactive 
absorptive, products. 

If moist gangrene occurs in a small part it is called necrosis. 



24 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

Iii fistulous withers we speak of the parts removed as ne- 
crotic tissue. 

Dry gangrene is death of tissue when the part dies from 
inanition, i. e., slowly starving to death. The part becomes 
paler and paler, losing its natural heat in proportion to the lack 
of nutrition. 

The results of dry gangrene are: 

1. Mummification — the part dries up, 

shrivels, and dies; it hangs on and 
will not come off. 

2. Chalky degeneration (calcareous) — 

most common in the human. In this 
condition the chalky portion crumbles 
off as in leprosy. It never occurs in 
horses. 
A common example of dry gangrene may be seen in sitfast 
in the horse. It is caused by the screws of the saddle extending 
too far down and producing pressure upon the skin; the part 
loses blood and dries, becoming gangrenous and insensible to 
pain. It does not slough, but finally produces a zone of inflam- 
mation around it. The only way to cure it is to remove the dead 
part and to remove the cause. 

THROMBOSIS AND EMBOLISM. 

A thrombus is a plug or clot in a vessel remaining at the 
point of formation. An embolus is a clot or other plug brought 
by the blood current from a distant vessel and forced into a 
smaller one, thereby obstructing the circulation. 

Thrombosis is the coagulation of the blood within the 
heart or blood vessels during life — it is the plugging of a vessel 
by a thrombus. Embolism is produced by an embolus, which is 
a body floating in the blood until it lodges in a vessel too small 
for it to pass through. In either case active congestion would be 
produced by increased blood pressure. When a thrombus 
forms in a part which has no collateral circulation, the part 
dies from inanition. In the brain there is no free anastomosis 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 25 

between the vessels and if emboli lodge in them the tissues soon 
degenerate and die. 

In embolism a clot has formed perhaps on the valve of the 
heart, or a little fibrin lodged among the chordae tendineae; a 
little piece floats off to some distant- vessel and lodges, forming 
an embolus. An illustration of this may be seen in a horse 
which suddenly becomes lame ; he drives all right for two or three 
miles and then suddenly goes lame on one leg, in a few min- 
utes is practically on three legs. He sweats profusely and the 
affected leg is cold. After rest he is all right, but this exper- 
ience occurs again and again until he is practically useless. 
The cause is an arterial embolus. During exercise the collateral 
circulation of the leg is not sufficient and an inflammation oc- 
curs producing lameness. Severe exercise would have caused 
gangrene if the horse had not become so lame that he could not 
go any further. 

An ante-mortem clot is light; a post-mortem clot is black. 
In making a post-mortem we often find in the cavities of the 
heart a clot resembling chicken fat, lodged among the valves, — 
a soft and friable mass. The remaining portions of the cav- 
ities are filled with black clots. The chicken fat clot is formed 
before death; it varies in color and density, from a soft yellow 
substance to a fibrinous grayish mass. The old ante-mortem 
clots are usually found in the posterior aorta or in the iliac 
arteries. They are more or less hard and somewhat elastic, 
rather filling the vessels. The degree of hardness indicates their 
time of formation. Very hard clots may have formed montns 
back, even years perhaps. An ante-mortem clot consists of 
fibrin, leucocytes and some few red blood corpuscles, which fade 
out. 

A post-mortem clot consists of all the elements of the blood 
and if the coagulation is rapid is of a dark red or black color. 

An irritant is anything that produces a local disturbance pri- 
marily and a constitutional disturbance secondarily. It is a sub- 
stance which when applied to a part causes a greater or less de- 
gree of vascular excitement. The stimulating influence of an 
irritant may simply alter the function of the part, it may pro- 
duce marked congestion and it may result in inflammation. 



26 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

The effects of local irritants are usually the same as in active 
congestion, — redness, swelling, heat and pain. The topical signs 
<- ,-e the same also. 

It is the action of an irritant to stimulate, but the various 
irritants do this in different ways. For example, alcohol in- 
creases thi. function and circulatory acton of the heart without 
irritating it; on the other hand turpentine irritates the part to 
which it is applied. If aromatic spirits of ammonia be given 
internally the mucous membrane of the stomach will be irri- 
tated and stimulated. If the dose is increased, it produces in- 
creased functional activity through the increased local irritation 
upon the mucous lining of the stomach. 

The secondary or constitutional disturbance of an irritant 
is produced by reflex action. For example, the local irritation 
of a nail prick in the navicular bursa causes pain. This is 
transmitted to the brain by the afferent nerves, where this irri- 
tation may stimulate the afferent nerves, and as a result be 
carried to all parts of the body, causing an increase in the tem- 
perature, in the frequency and hardness of the pulse, and in the 
respiration. Eventually a general emanciation results. These 
effects may be mild or they may cause death, but they all come 
as the result of the action of some irritant. 

INFLAMMATION. 

A constitutional disturbance carried to the extreme always 
produces inflammation. According to Gould inflammation 
(Latin inflammare, to burn) is a condition of nutritive disturb- 
ance, characterized by hyperemia, with the proliferation of the 
tissue cells, and attended by one or more symptoms of redness, 
swelling, heat and pain, discoloration and disordered function. 

As a result the part may be very much discolored. 

To appreciate an inflammation keep in mind active conges- 
tion ; it is impossible to have an inflammation without active con- 
gestion, although we may have active congestion without inflam- 
mation. Viscidity of the fluids 'of the blood and tissues plays 
an important part. The increased fibrin causes bad results and 
aggravates inflammatory tendencies. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 27 

In inflammation the topical characteristics of active conges- 
tion are exaggerated, more pain, burning and throbbing. The 
proliferation of cells as the result of inflammation is seen in 
the healing of wounds. It has been said by some that inflam- 
mation cannot occur without cell proliferation, but I (Dr. Baker) 
say that it can ; the process of inflammation may be going on 
for hours before any proliferation of cells takes place. Bur 
altered function is inseparable from inflammation ; inflamma- 
tion cannot occur without altered function. 

Inflammation terminates by resolution when the inflammatory 
deposits soften, liquefy and resolve, leaving no traces of the 
disease behind. If any trace is left, it is not resolution. 

The stages of inflammation are three : 

1. Hot and dry stage. 

2. Wet stage — the stage of effusion. 

3. Stage of suppuration, or formation of 

pus. 

The hot and "burning stage is characterized by hyperemia, 
exudation of plastic substances, infiltration of the surrounding 
tissues, discoloration of the tissues in the form of redness and 
suspension of function. This stage is short, an average of six 
hours. 

In the wet stage, or stage of effusion, serum exudes from 
the blood vessels. The serum is thin, non-coagulable (not 
plastic) ; it infiltrates the surrounding tissues and produces 
oedema. This second stage is long, indefinite, lasting from a day 
or two to a month or more. It is called ^he wet stage from the 
effusion of serum. It is particularly illustrated in the inflam- 
mation of mucous membranes. 

The formation of pus in the third stage is brought about by 
the disorganization of tissue in which the inflammation occurs. 
The effusion of serum, pressure upon the nerves, and altered 
nutrition in a part results in a small focus of disorganized tis- 
sue, which eventually grows into a cavity containing pus. 
The pus-forming germs are most commonly the cocci (strepto- 
and staphylo). These germs inoculated into healthy tissue will 
produce suppuration, but it is possible to produce a suppurative 



28 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

inflammation without them. Hamilton, the Scotch pathologist, 
demonstrates this as follows : 

Sterilize the surface of a part, make an incision, and insert 
a sterile capsule containing a drop of croton oil. Seal over the 
v;ound with collodion and after three days you will find pus, 
but no germs. As soon as the capsule is dissolved, the croton 
oil cauterizes the part setting up an inflammation which runs 
the various stages until pus is formed. 

Of the various terms used in describing inflammation, we 
have the following: 

Induration — swelling hardens. 

Adhesion— -a growing together of two surfaces; seen es- 
pecially in pleurisy, where the costal pleura adheres to the pul- 
monary pleura. 

Organization — the inflammatory deposits (the proliferating 
cells, coagulated albumen ; and fibrin, etc.) become permanent by 
the growth of the connective tissue cells, new formation o f 
blooQ vessels, and the penetration of new nerves, the previous 
seat of inflammation becoming a permanent part of the animal. 

Disorganization — a degeneration and liquefying of tissue. 
In case of resolution, the softening, liquefaction and absorbtion 
occur, leaving the part perfectly healthy. 

As a last result of inflammation we may get gangrene,- — 
both moist and dry. It will not differ from that of active con- 
gestion, except that it will be more pronounced and will occur 
more frequently. 

DEATH. 

The time comes when every animal must die. With the vet- 
erinarian there is little sentiment about this event. It is im- 
possible to define it; if we say that it is the cessation of life the 
question immediately arises, What is life? But we do not know. 
However, we consider animal to be a machine dependent upon 
three vital functionating systems : 

1. Hydraulic system, — that including the 
heart and blood vessels. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 29 

2. Pneumatic system, — that made up of 

the respiratory apparatus. 

3. Electric system, — that composed of the 

brain, medulla, spinal cord and 
nerves. 

In general, we may say that death occurs by interruption 
of one of these three systems every time. Interruption of the 
function of one will cause death, without reference to the other 
two. These three are the vital means of sustaining life, and if 
one ceases to functionate, the other two will also. 

Some pathologists record a fourth channel through which 
death may occur, — the blood, the poisoning of which (nec- 
rsemia) results in death. But this in turn acts upon the nervous 
system to which in such a condition the cause of death may be 
referred. 

Death due to interruption of the heart's action is called syn- 
cope, and there are two kinds : 

1. Sudden — sthenic. 

2. Slow — asthenic. 

Sthenic syncope (sudden heart failure) is purely func- 
tional. The nerves propelling the heart lose their irritability 
and the heart ceases to beat. In this condition there is no 
morbid anatomy, no premonitory symptoms of death. The 
heart stops beating suddenly. 

In the asthenic form there is morbid anatomy and there are 
premonitory symptoms of imminent death. The horse will have 
repeated attacks of dangerous heart failure, indicating . alvular 
insufficiency, or aneurism of the aorta, etc. 

Sthenic syncope occurs in two forms : 

1. Paralysis of the motor nerves of the 

heart, in which condition the heart is 
large, soft, and in a few hours after 
death will be dull of a black post- 
mortem clot. 

2. Tonic spasm, in which condition the 

heart is small, hard and empty, i. e., 
when the animal is posted. The rea- 



30 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

son for this is that the heart contract- 
ed and failed to relax. If the animal 
had died during diastole, the heart 
would be large, soft and full; but 
during systole, death finds it small 
hard and empty. This condition of 
the heart is seen in death from tetan- 
us, in which there are tonic spasms 
of the whole body. 
Sthenic syncope always occurs as the result of shock. This 
may happen during an operation, or as the result of a kick or 
some severe violence to the solar plexus. Shock is the condi- 
tion caused by any violent disturbance of the nervous system. 

Syncope may be caused by hemorrhage, and this is either 
external or internal. If the carotid artery, the jugular vein, 
or the femoral or brachial artery be severed, it takes no time for 
an animal to bleed to death. This is external hemorrhage; 
enough blood is lost to produce syncope. Internal hemorrhage 
occurs as the result of the rupture of some internal blood ves- 
sel into either the thorax or abdomen. Castrate a colt, say a 
bleeder, and as soon as the ecraseui is removed and the cord is 
retracted into the abdominal cavity, the hemorrhage begins and 
in 5 or i0 hours the colt will bleed to death. 
The symptoms of internal hemorrhage are : 

1. Great and increased pallor — mucous 

membranes pale, finally white as pa- 
per. This is the most important di- 
agnostic symptom. 

2. Temperature of extremities varying 

according to the rapidity of the hem- 
orrhage — cold if slow, and more or 
less warm if rapid. 

3. Great and increasing weakness — as 

death approaches, in case of a hem- 
orrhage requiring 5 or 6 hours to 
culminate, cold sweat breaks out on 
the surface. Then follows a dazed 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 31 

expression of countenance; the eyes 
get dim; the animal spreads his legs 
to prop his body; if down, he strug- 
gles convulsively to rise ; the pulse 
becomes feeble, small and finally im- 
perceptible ; the expired air is cold ; 
the breathing convulsive; and as 
death approaches the pupils dilate. 

Death due to interruption of the pneumatic apparatus is 
called asphyxia, whereby the animal is deprived of air. 

The symptoms of asphyxia are as follows : 

1. The mucous membranes are dark and 

grow darker. This darkening u 
called cyanosis. It does not occur 
suddenly, but comes on gradually. 

2. Eyes bulge. 

3. Nostrils dilate. 

4. Breathing labored. 

5. Cold sweat usually bedews the body. 

In such a death the post mortem will show more or less 
cyanosis of all the organs, but especially of the lungs. There 
is general passive congestion. The blood turns black from the 
excess of carbon dioxide and from the decrease of oxygen. In 
the human, the face would be black, but a horse does not show 
cyanosis in his face. 

Death by interruption of the brain and nervous system is 
called coma. A comotos^ condition is one of stupor, insensi- 
bility, and unconsciousness. When an animal dies from coma, 
the symptoms are as follows : 

1. Prone on the ground. 

2. Insensible. 

3. Pulse slow — decreased in frequency 

way below normal. 

4. Breathing slow and stertorous ; slow, 

deep, irregular breathing and in some 
cases snoring, is always present in 
coma. 



^ 



32 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

At the approach of death, the breathing keeps getting slower 
and more irregular, the pulse the same although it may con- 
tinue to beat after the respirations have stopped. In this con- 
dition of death the brain loses its irritability; the other organs 
are in normal condition. 

When it does not pay to treat an animal, the veterinarian 
is expected to destroy it and this he must know how to do. 
The quickest and most painless method of killing is to shoot 
the animal through the fourth ventricle. An animal can lose 
nearly the whole of his cerebrum, large portions of his cere- 
bellum without dying, but not the medulla. 

HOW TO KILL A HORSE. 

First, fill the gun with sufficient powder to drive the bullet 
through the cranium of the horse; a 22-calibre revolver will not 
do it. We use a 44-calibre gun, barrel about a foot long. Use 
long cartridges. 

Place one hand over the nose of the horse, holding his nose 
down toward his breast. Stand in front of him and shoot 
straight through the medulla. It is not necessary to place the 
muzzle of the gun against the forehead. If the animal is ner- 
vous, it may be necessary to blindfold him. 

Do not attempt to shoot through the ear; the petrous por- 
tion of the temporal bone is the hardest bone in the body. But 
shoot high up toward the poll and you will hit the right spot 
every time. The horse should drop instantaneously. He dies 
from coma. The bullet causes shock; shock produces coma; 
and coma, paralysis of the brain. 

The main objection to shooting a horse is the noise. There 
are other means of killing but they take longer and are more 
painful. Strychnine is the most active poison but it is very 
painful. Dissolve a large dose in water and inject into the 
jugular vein. When giving it by mouth, give at least 10 grains. 
Hydrocyanic acid is all right for killing dogs but it is too weak 
for the horse. The commercial acid does not keep its strength 
and the anhydrous is rare, we never get it. One-hundredth of a 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 33 

drop of the anhydrous acid on the tongue of a horse would kill 
him instantly. 

Chloroform kills by paralyzing the brain and the animal dies 
from coma. Strychnine kills by syncope, tonic spasm of the 
heart. Hydrocyanic acid kills by paralyzing the heart. The 
chief objection to using chloroform is. that the animal struggles 
severely during its administration. The feeling of suffocation 
caused by the chloroform produces violent struggling and in such 
cases the animal must be restrained the same as for an operation. 

All poisons considered, probably strychnine is the best to use 
in killing an animal if you do not wish to shoot him. 

Death through poisoning of the blood is called necrsemia. 
The blood dies, or in other words is killed by some specific mi- 
cro-organism, such as the bacillus anthracis. In this disease 
the blood is so disorganized by the germ that the corpuscles are 
wholly broken up and killed. This kind of death can be re- 
ferred to the nervous system and we can say that the animal 
dies from coma, yet at the same time the dead blood is the 
cause of death. 

In order to determine the channel through which death oc- 
curs, one must note the effect of the disease processes. If the 
animal dies in a comatose condition, then the nervous system is 
the cause; if syncope sets in, then the heart is at fault. A per- 
son in a faint is comatose, but it is not deep enough to produce 
death; in real death from coma, the stertorous breathing must 
be present. All these conditions must be taken into considera- 
tion in order to determine the correct cause of death. 

NOSOLOGY. 

By nosology we mean the classification of disease. D4S- 
eases are divided into two general classes, constitutional and lo- 
cal. Of the constitutional there are two kinds, exogenous and 
endogenous ; of the local, eight, these referring to the system 
affected; they are the diseases of the respiratory system, the 
digestive system, the circulatory system, the urinary, the ner- 
vous, etc. The following is a simple form of the classification 
of disease: 



34 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

1. Constitutional — 

a. Exogenous. 

b. Endogenous. 

2. LocaJ^- 

a. Diseases of the Respiratory System. 

b. Diseases of the Digestive System. 

c. Diseases of the Circulatory System. 

d. Diseases of the Urinary System. 

e. Diseases of the Nervous System. 

f. Diseases of the Generative System. 

g. Diseases of the Locomotory System. 
h. Diseases of the Cutaneous System. 

A constitutional disease is one that affects the whole sys- 
tem primarily; if it localizes itself in any organ, it does so sec- 
ondarily. A local disease is just the reverse ; it is one that affects 
some part primarily, and the whole system secondarly, i. e., if 
it does so at all. 

An exogenous disease is one arising from without the body, 
i. e., the cause is from without. This includes all of the con- 
tagious diseases, such as glanders, anthrax, tuberculosis, etc. 

An endogenous disease arises within the body, the cause pro- 
ducing it is within the animal. This includes all non-contagious 
diseases, such as azoturia, acute constitutional lymphangitis, 
rheumatism, rickets, etc. 

These constitutional diseases are sometimes spoken of as 
blood diseases. Local diseases include all the diseases not con- 
stitutional, and they are classified according to the part in which 
they are located. 

RATIONAL TREATMENT OF DISEASE IN GENERAL. 

Rational treatment is that prescribed according to the indi- 
cations present. It is based upon the pathology of the case. 
Medicinal indications always should follow the pathological con- 
ditions. The prescriber should give attention to the individual 
case, and in order to do this, he must be a pathologist. He must 
first make a correct diagnosis and then follow the lesions up 






OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 35 

to the point where the case is presented to him. Rational treat- 
ment is based on the motto, Vis medicatrix natura, which means 
"the power of nature to heal." "Our efforts must be directed 
toward the assistance of nature, help tide her over the rough 
places and difficult conditions. 

Along the line of general treatment we divide diseases into 
acute, subacute, and chronic. Acute diseases require prompt 
and vigorous treatment with the object of either aborting the 
disease, or of lessening its severity and giving nature a chance 
to recover. The acute disease requires heroic treatment es- 
pecially in its early stages, for it tends to run a rapid course, 
to develop and terminate quickly. For example, in intestinal 
flatulence, the horse is tympanitic, there is pressure upon the 
diaphragm causing interference with respiration, and a result- 
ing cyanosis; the horse will die from asphyxia if he does not 
get immediate relief. The treatment must be prompt; if ne- 
cessary let the gas off with a trocar and canula. This is heroic 
treatment, and many owners object on account of the possible 
danger, but it is the only way to save the life of the animal. 

A subacute disease is mild, arises slowly, and is inclined to 
terminate favorably. The rational treatment should be mild 
and need not be so prompt. Small doses less often repeated 
are given ; in fact with no treatment at all, the case will re- 
cover. 

A chronic case is one of long standing. The rational treat- 
ment is slow, and employs such remedies as tend to produce the 
absorption of inflammatory deposits. 



RATIONAL TREATMENT OF A FEVER. 

Ephemeral fever or fabricula is a fever in which it is the 

disease, there is no morbid anatomy. Fabricula is a simple 
fever. 

Nature. — Fabricula is in itself the disease; it does not ori- 
ginate in any particular organ ; runs a benign course ; termi- 
nates favorably in 2 to 8 days. The nature of this disease 



36 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

considers whether it is febrile or inflammatory, the organ af- 
fected, the course the disease is likely to run, and its probable 
termination. 

Etiology. — The main factors in causing a simple fever are 
exposure to wet and cold, fatigue from hard work, irregular 
feeding, improper diet, sudden change from the open air to con- 
finement in the stable, change of climate, change from natural 
life to artificial, — any one of these conditions may cause a sim- 
ple fever. 

Symptomatology or Semeiology. — Fabricula comes on sud- 
denly; a severe case will be preceded by rigor, the symptoms 
of- which are : 

1. Coldness of extremities. 

2. Surface of the body cold. 

3. Nose and ears cold. 

4. Shivering — begins slight and increases 

in severity until the animal is shaking 
vigorously all over. 

5. Breathing increases in frequency, and 

a peculiar whistling sound is pro- 
duced. 

The number of normal respirations in the horse is 10. 
but in a chill, it may be increased to 60 per minute. The breath- 
ing is not labored, and there is no dilatation of the nostrils — 
these are negative conditions. As the chill grows worse, the 
horse hangs his head, droops his ears ; this may last from 2 to 3 
hours. The more severe the chill, the longer it will last, and the 
higher will be the fever following it. 

To prescribe rationally, consider first the age and species of 
the animal ; then the size, sex, vitality of the patient, duration 
of the disease, time of the year, the weather, and the surround- 
ings. All of these conditions have their influence. The treat- 
ment consists of medicinal prescriptions and hygienic measures. 

Suppose now you have a horse with a chill. The nervous 
system is excited, the blood has left the surface, the respirations 
are rapid, the pulse hard, rapid and strong. The sympathetic 
nerves control the heart and if we give Fid. Ext. of aconite, this 
will reduce the irritability of the nerves. We prescribe with this 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 37 

a stimulant, alcohol, and the form of the prescription would be 
as follows : 

Fid. Ext. Aconite 1 drachm 

Spts. Vini Rect 4 ounces 

Aqua qs ad 1 pint 

M. Sig. — 2 ounces every 15 minutes until you get 
the physiological effect of the drugs. 

The horse will sweat, and the heart pound hard, but with- 
out increased irritability. Some will argue against combining 
a stimulant and sedative together, saying that the one neutral- 
izes the action of the other, but experience teaches that this is 
not true. 

Hygienic treatment consists in putting on woolen blankets 
and buffalo robes, bandaging the legs, shutting off the draughts, 
and rubbing the legs of the animal to increase the circulation. 

As soon as the animal begins to sweat give the doses less 
frequently, and finally drop them off altogether. The dose above 
given, with proper hygienic measures will put the animal to 
sweating in about 2y 2 hours. 

- Suppose now that the disease has been running three days, 
you are called, say, the fourth day; you find the ears drooping, 
pulse 60, temperature 105, feces slimy, etc. In this climate, 
usually some thoracic disease — acute bronchitis, pleurisy, or 
pneumonia may develop, but in this case let us say that it has 
not. Now what will you prescribe? A fever mixture, and this 
is our stock solution. 

Fid. Ext. Aconite 1 drachm 

Fid. Ext. Belladonna 2 drachms 

Fid. Ext. Gentian 1 ounce 

Potassium Nitrate \y% ounces 

Spts. Ether Nit 2 ounces 

Aqua qs ad 1 pint 

M. Sig. — 2 ounces every 2 hours. 

Make the dose small and repeat often, and in this way the 
physiological action will be produced gradually. Robertson in his 
Equine Practice gives large doses two or three times a day, 
but you will get better results with small doses every two hours. 
This impresses the owner so that he stays on hand and tends to 
his animal, and this produces better results. 



38 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

As to the hygiene, water the animal every 15 minutes (you 
may be pretty sure that the owner has been afraid to give the 
animal anything to eat or drink) until he has had his thirst 
quenched, then put a bucket of fresh water before him, and 
keep it fresh. For fodder, give oats and bran mixed and 
scalded with boiling water. The boiling water ruptures the cel- 
lulose covering of the grain, and makes it easier to digest. 

The dose which I have given you is for an average weight 
animal, say 1,300 pounds. The aconite lessens the irritability 
of the nerves; the belladonna lessens the congestion; the gen- 
tian, a vegetable, helps to keep the stomach in order; the po- 
tassium nitrate is a diuretic and a refrigerant and helps to reg- 
ulate the temperature. If ammonium chloride be added it will 
lessen the temperature more quickly. In addition to this pre- 
scription give a dram of acetanilid every four hours. 

The bowels will take care of themselves, only take notice 
whether they move or not. If not, give a soap and water 
enema. 

After getting the temperature down to 102, stop the acet- 
anilid and put in mix vomica, 1 ounce to the pint. Drop the 
potassium nitrate. When the temperature gets to normal put 
the animal on Tr. iron. Keep him quiet even if his legs are 
stocked. After the temperature has been normal for 48 hours, 
exercise can begin. 

The various procedures in making a diagnosis are as fol- 
lows: 

1. Inspection. 

2. Mensuration. 

3. Palpitation. 

4. Auscultation. 

5. Percussion. 

6. Succussion. 

These are the means employed to make a physical diagnosis. 

Inspection. — This implies a thorough observation of the an- 
imal before touching him at all. It includes the movements of 
the chest and abdominal muscles ; the position of the elbows ; 
the expression of the countenance, which is quick to indicate 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 39 

distress; the extent of dilatation of the nostrils; the amount and 
character of any nasal discharge, and the appearance of the coat. 

Mensuration. — This implies the measuring of any part and 
the comparison of it with the opposite side. The measurements 
are usually sized up with the eye rather than with a tapeline; in 
this way the eye becomes trained to routine practice. 

Prof. Gamgee was a great stickler for tape line measure- 
ments, but he was more scientific than practical. 

Palpation. — This is the act of feeling. See if the surface 
is cold or hot. Manipulate the parts to find if any soreness be 
present ; feel of the coat ; count the pulse ; take the temperature ; 
when indicated, lay the hand upon the horse's hip and feel the 
impulse of the labored breathing, for it is an important point in 
diagnosis. 

Auscultation.— This is an application of the ear to the wall 
of the body cavities to ascertain whether the sound be normal 
or not. The ear can be applied directly to the surface or a. 
stethoscope can be used. In veterinary practice the ear is more 
commonly used. 

Percussion. — This is the tapping of the surface over cavi- 
ties to ascertain the density of the cavity. The practitioner 
must be familiar with the normal resonance of the body cavi- 
ties. This varies according to the amount of flesh overlaying 
the cavity. A thin horse has greater resonance of his body cav- 
ities than a fat one. Dullness of the chest indicates disease; 
dullness of the facial sinuses indicates that they are filled with 
mucous discharges or pus; dullness of the abdominal cavity is 
normal, and it becomes resonant only when filled with gas. 

Succussion. — This is the act of shaking a patient so as to 
detect the pressure of a liquid in the cavities of the body. 



RESPIRATORY DISEASES. 

The phenomena of the diseases of any particular system 
are the various symptoms and signs which call one's attention 
to it. 



40 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

As applied to the horse, the various phenomena of the dis- 
eases of the respiratory system are as follows : 

1. Grunting. In cattle grunting occurs as 

a symptom of digestive diseases ; in 
the horse never as such. 

2. Coughing. 

3. Dyspnoea. 

4. Roaring. 

5. Whistling. 

6. Rales — called mucous rales. 

7. Crepitation. 

8. Friction sounds. 

9. Sneezing. 

10. Snoring. 

11. Wheezing. 

Grunting. — The grunt is present in acute pleurisy, and indi- 
cates painful respiration. 

Coughing. — A cough is a forcible and sudden expulsion of air 
from the chest. It begins with a sudden and deep inspiration, 
and then all the respiratory forces come into play to expel the 
air, — the diaphragm, the intercostals and the abdominal muscles. 
A cough may be either moist or dry. The moist cough is 
heard in the second stages of acute respiratory dis- 
eases; the dry, in the first stage of the acute and in the chronic 
respiratory diseases. A cough may be shallow or deep ; the shal- 
low is from the throat, and the deep from the bronchi. The 
throat cough is a hacking, short, sharp and shallow one; the 
bronchial cough is hoarse and deep. 

Dyspnoea. — This is labored breathing, interrupted more or less 
by some interference. It may be slight or severe, and it may be 
fatal. It is seen in either acute or chronic diseases. In the acute 
disease it requires prompt attention, but in the chronic it is not 
dangerous. 

Roaring. — This is a recognized name of a disease, and is due 
to the dropping into the larynx cavity of the left arytenoid car- 
tilage. 

Whistling. — This is a shriller noise than that of roaring. It 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 41 

may be produced by anything that constricts the caliber of the air- 
passage. 

Rales.- — This sound is produced by air passing through a li- 
quid, such as mucous, pus, blood, water, medicine, etc. 

Crepitation. — A crackling sound heard in the early stages of 
pneumonia. 

Friction Sounds. — This is the sound of two dry surfaces rub- 
bing together, as heard in the second stages of acute pleurisy. 

Sneezing. — Among the lower animals, this is simply blowing 
the nose, there is no cough. 

Snoring. — A noisy breathing produced usually by a polypus in 
the posterior nares. It is occasionally the result of nervous dis- 
turbance, seen in nervous high-bred Jersey cows. Pug dogs al- 
ways snore. 

Wheezing. — This is the sound heard when the air passes 
through a more or less obstructed passage, such as would be 
caused by a nasal polypus, enchondroma of the septum nasi, or 
the asthmatic exacerbation of heaves. 



RHINITIS. 

Definition. — Rhinitis is the inflammation of the mucous mem- 
brane lining the nose. It is also called catarrh, which is derived 
from the Greek katarrein, meaning to flow down, and always 
refers to the discharge of a mucous membrane. The name ca- 
tarrh can be applied to any membrane of the body, but it is usually 
applicable to the nasal membrane. 

Nature. — Rhinitis may be acute, subacute, or chronic. In the 
acute form inflammation of the Schneiderian membrane is pres- 
ent; it extends back and involves the mucous lining of the fauces. 
In a very severe case, it involves the sinuses of the head, tne 
frontal and the superior and inferior maxillary. 

Etiology. — This inflammation is usually brought on by expos- 
ure to cold winds, or to sudden change of temperature. It can oc- 
cur in hot weather as well as in cold. In Chicago the northeast 
wind is apt to cause catarrh in horses that are exposed to it 
after exercise. 



42 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

Symptoms. — The first symptom is usually sneezing; pain is 
probably present in the Schneiderian membrane. After a few 
hours a slight cough develops; elevation of temperature — 103 to 
104; pulse 48 to 50; lassitude; congestion of the mucous mem- 
brane of the nose and eyelids. 

Pathology. — The inflammation runs three stages ; first, the mu- 
cous membranes are dry and their function is suspended ; second, 
this is the moist stage and a red, limpid, thin, water discharge 
begins which in 12-20 hours becomes starchy; third, if the case is 
bad, suppuration develops, and the discharge is muco-purulent — 
pus mixed with mucous. In the first stage the function of the 
mucous membranes is suspended, but as soon as reaction begins, 
they begin to act again and pour out their discharge, which, 
however, is not normal, but is degenerated, — a thick, starchy coag- 
ulated substance. Not all the mucous follicles suppurate, and 
what normal mucous is poured out becomes mixed with the pus 
and degenerated coagulum. In time the "discharge may collect in 
the sinuses, the swollen mucous membranes preventing its escape. 
It then becomes very offensive, because of decomposition of the 
mucous element. The ordinary discharge from the nose is usu- 
ally odorless. 

Eventually the mucous membranes may ulcerate; the perios- 
teum of the bones desquamate. 

Treatment. — The acute form of rhinitis is a febrile disease 
and therefore needs antiphlogistic treatment. The following pro- 
cedures are recommended : 

1. Put animal in a comfortable place. 

2. Let him rest ; do not work him. 

3. Dose him with acetanilid. 

4. Give a fever mixture, such as recom- 

mended in ephemeral fever. 

5. Give a diuretic — the kidneys must be 

stimulated early in every febrile dis- 
ease, so as to prevent an accumulation 
of debris in the urinary system. 

6. Apply local treatment to the head. 

Steaming the head over a tub of hot water is good for this 
case. Set a wash or soap tub on top of a barrel, and tie the 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 43 

horse's head so that he cannot thrust it down into the hot water. 
Throw a blanket over his head, and a red hot brick into the tub 
of water; this will precipitate suddenly a lot of steam, which 
will bring relief to the animal if the inflammation is located in the 
head, but not if in the lungs. It is possible to medicate the steam 
with an ounce of white wine vinegar, or dilute acetic acid, both 
of which are soothing to inflamed mucous membranes. If the 
catarrh has reached the suppurative stage, throw an ounce of car- 
bolic acid or an ounce of tincture of iodine into three gallons of 
water (hot), and allow the steam of it to penetrate the animal's 
head. These will act as antiseptics. (Empirics will burn old 
leather and old boots, thinking that the fumes will be soothing 
to the inflamed membranes of the head, but this is erroneus). 

If the sinuses of the head are involved, the case is severe; but 
if not nature will effect her own cure. The nature of the dis- 
charge will enable one to tell whether the sinuses are affected or 
not. If they are, after steaming, rub a little ammonical liniment 
on the overlaying skin. 

Aqua Ammonia % ounce 

01. Terebinth y 2 ounce 

01. Gossypii qs ad 2 ounces 

M. Sig. — Rub a little of the ointment over the 
sinuses — frontal and maxillary — night and morn- 
ing; in severe cases apply to the throat and 
fauces. 

(Linseed oil can be used instead of the cottonseed). 

After following this treatment for two or three days, the case 
is practically cured, but you must dry up the discharge and put 
the animal on a chalybeate course,— a course of iron. 

I> 

Potassium Chlorate % ounce 

Tr. Fer. Chlor V 2 ounce 

Aqua qs ad 1 pint 

M. Sig.— Mix and give 1 ounce every 4 hours. 

In a bad case keep the horse in for a week. As soon as the 
acute symptoms have subsided discontinue the steaming; stop the 
use of the ammoniacal liniment as soon as the skin begins to 
wrinkle, and apply a little cottonseed oil to soften up the skin. 

Subacute Rhinitis. — These cases are mild and will not re- 
quire much if any treatment. Probably the case will not be 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



brought to you in this stage. However, subacute cases may de- 
velop into chronic and affect the sinuses of the head. 

Chronic Rhinitis or Catarrh. — This is sometimes called O- 
zena. It is a chronic nasal catarrh. Among the English Veter- 
inarians it is known as nasal gleet. Chronic catarrh always fol- 
lows the acute if it occurs at all. It has constantly to be dif- 
ferentiated from glanders. Its symptoms are as follows : 

1. An intermittent muco - purulent dis- 

charge, of heavy specific gravity, and 
nearly always offensive. The color 
varies from greenish yellow to whit- 
ish yellow, according to the amount 
of coagulated mucous in it. 

2. Chunky condition of the discharge fol- 

lowing the intermittency. This is due 
to coagulation taking place during the 
confinement of the discharge over 
night, and it becomes very offensive. 
As soon as the animal begins to ex- 
ercise, chunks of mucous, fetid ana 
very profuse, pour out of the nose un- 
til the sinuses are empty. 

3. Cough may be present ; usually the sub- 

maxillary lymphatics are enlarged. 

4. Bulging of the sinuses from the pressure 

of the muco-purulent material within. 
In such a case the eyes may water a 
little, the conjunctiva be red, and the 
corner of the eyes contain a little coag- 
ulated mucous. 

5. Appetite usually good. 

6. Coat looks well if the animal has been 

kept in good condition. 
Negative symptoms : 

7. No ulcerations of the Schneiderian 

membrane in sight. If present they 
are too far back to be seen. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 45 

8. If the mallein test is tried, it proves 
negative. 

Treatment. — The treatment of chronic catarrh is entirely de- 
pendent upon the condition of the animal when first seen. If the 
disease has been running for the previous three or four weeks 
without treatment, or even if treated before, try to cure the case 
without any operation. Do this by using a nasal douche. 

Tie the horse from each side and fasten him down, holding his 
face as nearly perpendicular as possible. Twitch one ear and 
insert the douche in the nostril. Do not place the twitch on the 
nose in this case. Insert the douche in the side running the 
most, using a mild lotion. A good lotion can be' made from a 
10 per cent solution of some of the sodium chlorides; sodium 
bicarbonate ; boracic acid ; or borax. Borax is borate of sodium. 
If carbolic acid is used, make up a solution about one-half of 
one per cent strength. Do not use solutions stronger than those 
mentioned. Rinse the nose with potash — 1 to 1000 — then use 
saline. Run through the douche about 2 or 3 quarts or a gallon 
of this. Internally give the horse iron — exsiccate sulphate — 
one dram in the feed night and morning. In addition to this, if 
you wish, give him Fowler's solution of arsenic, one-half ounce 
night and morning. This dosage would be for a 1000-lb. horse; 
for a 1600-lb. animal, give one ounce night and morning. Keep 
all this treatment up for two or three weeks, and feed on soft 
feed, grass if possible. If the sinuses are not too severely af- 
fected, this will cure the horse ; but if they are full of mucous and 
pus, of degenerated and decomposing material, or if the sinuses 
are bulging, then an operation is necessary. 

Sinusitis. — Put the horse on the table or lay him down, using 
a soft cushion under his head with a strong man to help hold 
him. Cut out a circular piece of skin opposite the fourth molar 
tooth, making the opening large enough to insert the instrument. 
Cut away the cellular tissues so as to expose the bone. Then 
bore through and withdraw the instrument and cut out the mu- 
cous membrane. In a long-standing case the pus will be very 
thick, so thick that it may have to be pulled out. Do not try to 
get all the pus out. ' Syringe the sinus well ; the air and water 
will soften the mass so that in 60 to 72 hours the pus will come 



46 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

out easily. After the operation syringe out the cavity with a 
mild solution such as previously mentioned, and repeat night and 
morning. Hang an apron over the' horse's head to cover the 
opening, and leave the hole open. The air will do as much to 
effect good healing as anything that could be applied. Some prac- 
titioners use a cob to stop up the opening, and corks are also 
used, but the wound should be left open. Nine times out of ten 
a case will yield to this treatment. After about three weeks, it 
will not be necessary to use the syringe longer, as the mass will 
have become so soft that it can easily be removed. The first 
two weeks, syringe out once every day; then once every three 
days. Too much washing maintains a discharge. Nature will do 
better than local applications. Remember, syringe night and 
morning for two weeks ; then once a day for the third week ; and 
after that two or three times a week. 

If you meet with a case that has been running a year or 
longer, the treatment may fail. There are many cases in which 
the mucous membrane is entirely gone as the result of absorption. 
Keep the horse on iron all through the treatment; it helps ma- 
terially to arrest suppuration. 

This operation is simple and usually satisfactory. Bear in 
mind that the fetid breath is a symptom of chronic nasal dis- 
charge.. When this condition is present, always examine the teeth 
to see that they are not decayed. If you find a decayed molar, 
remove it first; but if the mouth is sound, get after the nasal 
catarrh. It is very easy to mistake this condition for glanders. 

In removing a tooth, two things are to be guarded against, 
the cutting of the blood vessels and also of the nerves that sup- 
ply the roots of the molars. Work above these and do not dis- 
turb them if possible. Although a very painful operation it is 
not advisable to use chloroform. 



LARYNGITIS. 

Definition. — Laryngitis is the inflammation of the mucous lin- 
ing of the larynx. Theoretically it may be limited to the larynx, 
but in every day practice, we usually find that it involves the 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



47 



pharynx. It is then known as laryngo-pharyngitis. This is the 
usual case we find to treat, and it is spoken of as sore throat. In 
bad cases three or four inches at least of the upper part of the 
trachea are involved. 

Pathology. — In this disease the inflammation runs the reg- 
ular typical course : first the dry, hot stage with suspension of the 
function of the mucous membrane ; then the second or the wet 
stage with an abundant effusion producing more or less cedema. 
This cedema makes the parts swell ; if it is located mostly around 
the rima glottidis, it will diminish the size of the air passage and 
cause dyspnoea. Sometimes the passage becomes closed entirely, 
and the animal dies from asphyxiation. This ©edematous condi- 
tion merits a special name — oedema glottidis. It may result in ab- 
phyxiation in 48 hours. This is always a dangerous condition 
in man or beast, but more particularly in children under 5 and in 
people over 60. The first stage is short, 5 or 6 hours only, 
Sometimes the inflammation goes on to the third stage, — sup- 
puration, but this never amounts to much. Occasionally the 
case is so severe as to produce local necrosis in the larynx, and 
the horse in coughing will throw out threads of necrotic mu- 
cous membrane. This condition is called necrotic laryngitis, and 
the part coughed up is called a "sphacelus." The act is called 
"sphacelation." This is usually fatal, and in 6 or 8 weeks the 
horse dies from sphacelemia. In the horse this is a very dan- 
gerous condition because the larynx cannot be reached to clean 
it out. 

Death from cedema glottidis usually occurs within 48 hours 
if it ocurs at all ; after that there is no danger. 

Etiology. — The cause is undue exposure. Take a barn hold- 
ing 40 horses — brick barn worse than frame — wide open, no 
fire, and very cold. The bricks hold the chill. The horses feed 
out at noon in nose bags, and come in at night tired, very much 
so if the ground is covered with snow and ice. They cannot re- 
sist the chill of the barn, and the next morning one horse does 
not eat his breakfast. He has acute laryngitis. 

Symptoms. — In all bad cases there is more or less chill, which 
the attendant may or may not see; temperature 104-106; pulse 
full, round and soft, and increased in frequency ; throat swollen, 



48 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

outside and in; (the more it swells on the outside/ the less it 
swells on the inside, and those swelling freely on the outside are 
not the most serious cases ; nose poked out. If this were seen 
in the first stage, there would probably be a dry, sore, hacking 
cough with disinclination to swallow. In the second stage an 
cedematous, moist cough is present, and it is painful. The pain 
is indicated by the horse shaking his head after each cough. 
The discharge is profuse, mostly saliva, the reason for which is 
that the inflammation is in close proximity to the parotid glands, 
and stimulates them to increased functional activity. This se- 
cretion passes back through the fauces but- cannot go further 
down on account of the swelling, and is therefore forced out 
through the nose. In this condition the nose is sore ; pressure 
on the outside causes the animal to throw up his head, an indica- 
tion of pain. 

The case runs along for 4 or 5 days, by which time there may 
be a little pus, a few mucous follicles may suppurate, and the 
discharge may be starchy. However, it usually consists of mucous 
and saliva. The breathing is accelerated ; upon opening the mouth 
it is full of ropy saliva. In all these cases there is more or less 
dyspnoea, and the mucous membranes become cyanotic acording 
to the amount of dyspnoea present. The less oxygen the horse 
gets the darker the mucous membranes become. If the dyspnoea 
becomes severe, the eyes bulge, and the animal makes a great 
noise both during expiration and inspiration. Death may come 
any time between 48 and 100 hours, usually in about 75 hours. 
As death comes on the extremities get cold, the eyes bulge, and 
weakness develops rapidly; but the animal persistently stands 
until he drops dead. 

Prognosis. — This depends entirely upon the amount of dysp- 
noea present. Laryngo-pharyngitis with oedema glottidis is very 
dangerous and often fatal. If it takes three or four days for the 
asphyxia to kill him, the mucous membranes will not only be 
cyanotic, but they will become ecchymotic as well. 

Treatment. — As a rule the doctor is called the first day; he 
sees the horse not eating and discharging from the nose. The 
following is the course of treatment to pursue: 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 49 

1. First look after the hygiene, warm up 

the stable — with a stove if possible. 
Keep the temperature 60-66 degrees. 
You cannot treat an animal success- 
fully in a cold barn. 

2. Clothe warmly. 

3. Apply the ammoniacal liniment^on the 

outside of the throat freely. The old 
theory of a blister supposed its action 
to be that of a revulsive to draw the 
inflammation out and to drive it 
away; but this theory is obsolete. 
We know now that it acts as a local 
stimulant, setting up a mild inflam- 
matory process, and in an acute dis- 
ease this is always beneficial. 

4. After applying the liniment, then put 

on a hot linseed poultice, which must 
be repeated night and morning. Do 
not repeat the application of the lini- 
ment. Bandage the poultice well. 

5. For internal medication give a dram 

of acetanilid and repeat every 4 
hours. 

6. Give an ounce of fever mixture every 

hour — small doses will insure that 
more be swallowed. 

7. See the case every day. If the inflam- 

mation increases, give a camphor 
electuary. 

Gum Camphor 1 ounce 

Fl. Ex. Belladonna. 2 ounces 

Fl. Ex. Glycyrrhiza 2 ounces 

Fl. Ex. Nux Vomica 1 ounce 

Theriacae 6 ounces 

Pharmacy. — Powder the gum camphor in a mortar, and add 
a little alcohol. Then add the fluid extracts and stir up and 
then the theriacae. Stir all up together, adding enough pow- 



50 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

dered glycyrrhiza, probably 2-4 ounces, to make the mixture 
thick enough to administer the dose on a wooden, spatula. In 
administering a dose, simply take it up on the spatula and wipe 
it off on the tongue of the animal. The advantage of the 
method is that the dose stays in the throat longer. 

If the case does not yield to these measures of treatment,, 
do not wait too long for an operation; as soon as the mucous 
membrances become cyanotic, tracheotomy is indicated. There 
are several different kinds of tracheotomy tubes and they vary 
in size to suit the animal. 

Tracheotomy— Make an incision 2 inches long through the 
skin to the cartilaginous rings, then turn the scalpel crosswise 
and cut through the membrane of the trachea. Enlarge the 
opening with a probe-pointed bistoury. Do not wound the 
cartilage rings. Insert the tube and fasten around the neck 
well. The tissues overlaying the wound and adjacent to it 
may begin to swell and force the instrument out, but this 
need not occur if the operation is aseptic. The tube should be 
removed and cleaned every night and morning. 

This operation does not cure ; keep up the other treatment 
until the animal begins to yield. 

An ordinary sore throat is cured by the iron gargle : 

Tr. Fer. Chloride 1 ounce 

Potassium Chlorate V2 ounce 

Aqua qs ad 1 pint 

M. Sig. — One ounce every four hours. 

In cases not severe enough for the camphor electuary, altern- 
ate the gargle with the fever mixture. Also use the gargle dur- 
ing convalescence. 

Hygiene— -Keep fresh water before the animal all the time ; 
give him everything he wants to eat. 

CHRONIC LARYNGITIS. 

■Under this head come nearly all the conditions producing 
noisy breathing— roaring, whistling, wheezing, thick wind,, 
chronic cough, and paralysis of the throat. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 51 

Etiology. — These chronic conditions generally follow some 
acute disease of the throat, but they may not. Roaring, for ex- 
ample, is due to paralysis of a nerve; whistling may be caused 
by a certain anatomical conformation ; wheezing, diseases of the 
nostrils ; thick wind may follow bronchial diseases ; chronic 

cough anything; paralysis of the throat may follow acute 

laryngo-pharyngitis. 

Roaring. — Roaring is due to the paralysis of the left recur- 
rent laryngeal nerve. As a result we get paralysis of certain 
arytenoid muscles. These are the arytenoideus, thyro-arytenoid- 
eus, and the crico-arytenoideus posticus. In this condition the 
muscles atrophy and change their red, fleshy color to that of pale 
yellow or amber. As a result the arytenoid cartilage drops into 
the larynx and obstructs inspiration. Expiration is performed 
with these, but in inspiration, the rima glottis may be almost 
closed by the obstructing cartilage. 

Symptoms. — These consist of loud roaring sounds in breath- 
ing, great difficulty in respiration, — may be so great as to choke 
the horse until he drops. But the animal does not die from 
asphyxia; when he goes down, the recumbent position helps re- 
store respiration. So long as the horse is quiet, there is no dif- 
ficulty in breathing, but the roaring occurs during exercise. As 
a rule, roaring ruins the horse, although the famous Eclipse was 
a roarer. 

Whistling. — This is a sharp shrill sound on a high key. It 
is sometimes produced by diseases of the throat. It can be 
produced mechanically. A horse with narrow jowls harnessed 
with a curb bit, under the tap of the whip will produce pressure 
on the larynx so that it becomes constricted, and this may cause 
choking. 

Wheezing. — This disease is not necessarily connected with 
the larynx, it may be in the nose. It may be caused by tume- 
faction of the septum nasi, polypus in the nostrils, fracture with 
depression of the nasal bone, and general swelling of the mu- 
cous membranes as seen in glanders. The cause may be in the 
chest in the form of bronchitis, for example, in cattle in bad cases 
of heaves in which there are asthmatic exacerbations. 

An abcess in the wall of the throat is the usual cause of 



52 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

wheezing, i. e., when its cause can be referred to the throat. 
Tympanitis of the guttural pouch may cause it — a congenital 
malformation. Wheezing may also be caused by fracture of 
the tracheal rings with depression. Stenous of the trachea fol- 
lowing tracheotomy may cause it. 

Treatment. — The treatment is usually surgical. Some cases 
may be treated successfully with an external application of a 
blister while iodide of potash is given internally. 

Chronic Cough. — This condition is generally incurable. It 
may come as an acompaniment of any of the chronic laryngeal 
troubles. It may come from heaves. It is a short, hacking 
throat cough, usually in spasms. The horse coughs once, then 
a half dozen times, then stops. In roaring and other chronic lar- 
yngeal diseases, there is usually a chronic cough and it may be 
the only thing the matter. Pinch the larynx to locate the place 
of irritation. 

Treatment. — Increased functional activity is desired, there- 
fore apply a fly blister over the larynx. The blister should be 
mild ; too severe an application will blemish the thin skin which 
covers the throat. After removing the blister grease the throat 
and wash it. Repeat the blister from three to six times, six 
weeks apart. Internally give iodide of potash (1 dram for a 
1200 lb. horse) two or three times a day for a month, or twice 
a day for three months. Some cases will yield to the iron gargle. 
1 ounce every four hours. Guaiacol can be given also. 

Guaiacol 1 ounce 

Simple Syrup or Linseed Oil 15 ounces 

M. Sig. — Give 1 ounce 3 times a day. 

A valuable addition to this is a little heroin, l T / 2 grains to 
the ounce, especially if the cough is painful. Or a little codine 
can be given. These quiet the laryngeal nerves. 

In an ordinary case of strangles after the abscess has been 
treated, the guaiacol mixed with a fly blister, is the best treat- 
ment. 

Hygiene. — Keep the horse on a grass diet or at any rate on 
soft feed. 

Paralysis of the Throat Following Laryngo-Pharyngitis. — 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 53 

This is a very peculiar condition; it is a wasting of the soft 
tissues of the throat. The skin is drawn tightly over the atlas, 
and the outline of the hyoid bone can be seen. The neck looks 
like a skeleton covered with skin. There is paralysis of the 
muscles of deglutition, difficult swallowing, persistent coughing 
and the food and water come back through the nose. The horse 
runs down in flesh, is weak, and the case becomes chronic. This 
disease is liable to occur anywhere, but it does not occur often. 

Prognosis. — The prognosis is usually favorable if thorough 
treatment is carried out. 

Treatment. — Apply a fly blister to the outside of the throat, 
and repeat 5-6 times, being very careful not to blemish the skin. 
Put the animal on iodide of potash and strychnine. Put a 
grain of strychnine with 1 dram of iodide of potash and give 
a dose 3 times a day for 2-6 months. The cases all recover. 

QUINSY. 

In the human, quinsy is inflammation of the tonsils in which 
abscesses form. But horses have no tonsils, and consequently 
they do not have typical quinsy. Pigs, however, can have 
quinsy, for they have tonsils. But in the horse, abscesses gather 
occasionally in the lymph glands about the throat as a result of 
laryngo-pharyngitis. We get quinsy also in some cases of 
strangles. Pus may gather in the guttural pouches — in one or in 
both — and becoming confined there, produce pressure and dysp- 
noea. 

Etiology. — Quinsy is always secondary to severe inflammation 
of the throat. When it comes with strangles, it is easy enough 
to account for it, but in the other cases it is not always under- 
stood. These abscesses, however, probably always follow some 
local inflammation. 

Symptons. — The symptoms consist of swelling on one or 
both sides; if on both, dyspnoea; swelling hot, hard and sore 
under pressure; usually a rise of temperature; pulse 50; mouth 
full of ropy saliva; mucous membranes discolored according to 
the amount of dyspnoea present. The abscess may form postero- 



54 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

superiorly to the pharynx (post-pharyngeal abscess) in the 
centre, but usually develops on one side more than on the other. 
In all these cases the nose is poked out. Pressing the nose to- 
ward the breast causes great pain; if done suddenly, may make 
the animal rear. 

Treatment. — When the abscess presents itself by an external 
swelling, surgical interference is indicated. Being deep-seated, 
these abscesses will not point and rupture spontaneously, although 
they may occasionally do so, and 9 times out of 10 they have to 
be opened. When called to such a case, find out the history, the 
length of time the case has been developing, etc., and then oper- 
ate 5 days from the time the disease began. If the case has 
been running only 2 or 3 days, order a hot poultice. Change 
night and morning until the abscess is 5 days old, when the pus 
will have gathered sufficiently to be easily found, and then the 
abscess can be evacuated. 

Operation. — The seat of operation is a dangerous one, there 
are so many large blood vessels to be avoided. If the abscess 
is superficial, there is not so much danger. Above the larynx and 
in front of it there is a small triangular space in which to cut, — 
the external carotid and jugular, must be guarded against. Clip 
the hair over a place 2 inches in diameter, and make a puncture 
through the most prominent point of the swelling (put intermit- 
tent pressure on the jugular below so as to easily see the vein) 
and incise the skin with an inward, up and outward motion of 
the knife. Then turn the knife down and push it into the 
abscess slowly until resistence ceases. Then you are into the 
pus sac, and when you withdraw the knife, the pus will come 
out. With a probe pointed bistoury cut up or down as conditions 
will permit, being careful not to cut off the blood vessels, and 
enlarge the opening sufficiently to admit the finger. Slow cutting 
causes less shock than fast. Stabbing will produce shock. 

Syringe out the abscess and inject 1 pint of antiseptic solu- 
tion (bichloride 1-500) first and then use a bichloride solution 
1-1000 until the abscess is clean. Soak a plug of oakum and 
insert into the cavity, and then put a hot linseed poultice over 
the place mixing with the meal a little 5% solution of carbolic 
acid. This poultice will reduce the inflammation quickly. Dress 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 55 

night and morning until after the discharge has ceased, then 
remove the packing, smear the surface with vaselin, and put on 
a flannel hood to keep the parts warm. In about a week the 
horse can be in harness. 

Occasionally you may have a hemorrhage. Do not stop 
operating, but go on quickly and finish; then pack the cavity 
fuller than you otherwise would, and take a stitch or two in the 
skin to keep the oakum in. Do not dress for 24 hours and the 
cut vessel will have ceased to bleed. 

Post-pharyngeal abscesses are treated in the same way. 

DIPHTHERIA. 

In the human, diphtheria is a specific inflammation of the 
throat with the formation of a false membrane. It is a consti- 
tutional disease of the exogenous type. The diagnosis is made 
by making a microscopical examination of the scrapings from the 
throat, in which will be found the bacillus of diphtheria. 

Treatment. — This consists in the administering of anti-diph- 
theritic serum. The serum is obtained from horses that have 
been inoculated with cultures of the bacillus until no febrile reac- 
tion follows. The neck is washed and shaved, and the jugulat 
is tapped, and the blood is drawn off into a sterile vessel. After 
the blood has clotted, the serum is removed and treated in some 
way to prevent decomposition, and then is put up in sealed cases 
for distribution. 

The horse is used for this work because he is especially 
healthy and his tissues are good culture media for the germs. He 
is only used once for this purpose and is then sold. 

There is no disease among the lower animals corresponding 
to diphtheria in the human. 

BRONCHITIS. 

Definition. — Bronchitis is the inflammation of the mucous 
membrane lining the bronchi or bronchioles. It is divided into 
three classes, acute, subacute and chronic. The acute form af- 



56 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

fects the large bronchi mainly, but in severe acute cases the 
bronchioles may become involved. The inflammation is catarrhal 
in nature on account of the free flow of mucous present. Occa- 
sionally the air vesicles are also involved in the inflammation, and 
pneumonia is the result. We may have bronchitis and pneumo- 
nia running at the same — broncho-pneumonia. 

Bronchitis is very common in the horse, dog and man. The 
same phenomena are in all cases. It usually runs the first and 
second stages of inflammation and then an absorption of the 
inflammatory products takes place, the case terminating by reso- 
lution. But it may become chronic, especially in man and cat- 
tle. 

Acute. — The inflammation runs from 10 days to 4 weeks and 
terminates favorably. In an unfavorable case, say one which 
runs on to the third stage, the mucous follicles suppurate and 
an absorption of the toxins and cellular products takes place and 
90% of such cases die from septicemia in 2-4 weeks. Another 
fatal termination of the case occurs in the second stage. In 
this case the effusion is excessive and occludes the bronchioles. 
The animal would die quickly from asphyxiation if the condi- 
tion were extensive enough. But it is usually localized and the 
air in the vesicles of the occluded bronchioles becomes absorbed 
and the vesicles collapse, producing atelectasis, the so-called foe- 
tal lung. It is small, blue, more or less solid and does not crepi- 
tate. 

Etiology. — The cause of bronchitis is usually exposure to 
cold when the animal is tired. Exhaustion lessens the powers of 
resistence. Acute bronchitis may develop from laryngitis. It 
may be produced by impure air, such as we find in close stables, 
on board ship, etc. Introduction of small bodies into the bronchi, 
medicine, food or any small body, will cause bronchitis. It is 
more common in children and dogs. Attempt to drench an ox 
which is in a comatose condition and the failure of the epiglottis 
to close down may cause asphyxia and at any rate acute bron- 
chitis. Gastric flatulence in the horse is often followed by acute 
bronchitis because of the irritation of the eructations of the stom- 
ach upon the bronchi. Gastric flatulence produces great nervous 
prostration and the glottis, its nerves and muscles are depressed. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 57 

In -drenching a horse do not elevate his head too high. It is 
bad practice to drench a horse through the nose. Inhalations 
of smoke and hot air in burning stables may cause bronchitis. 

Symptoms. — Bronchitis is usually ushered in with rigor if the 
inflammation follows exposure. The mucous membranes are con- 
gested and the lining of the bronchi. The first stage runs 
a rapid course and the cough is deep, hoarse and dry. The tem- 
perature is 105-107 and the pulse 50, soft, full, round and reg- 
ular. The respirations are 18-20 per minute. The stage lasts 
about 6 hours. 

In the second stage effusion begins with a limpid reddish 
discharge from the nose. The expired air is hot and by auscul- 
tation over the front of the neck at the base of the trachea a 
large rasping sound can be heard. In a few days the mucous 
membranes secrete an abnormal mucous that coagulates and looks 
like starch. In the bronchi some effusion occurs, and there is a 
lot of mucous that does not coagulate. Mucous rales can be heard 
at the base of the neck. The nostrils are dilated, the appetite usu- 
ally last and secretions altered, and the excretions scanty; cough 
moist and suppressed, painful and made with the mouth closed. 

Course. — In the first stage we find the head hung low; ears 
drooping; visible mucous membranes red; pulse 55; respiration 
20; temperature 106-108 according to the condition of the horse. 

In the second stage the first evidence will be a watery dis- 
charge from the nose, while the pulse becomes rapid and softer. 
Respiration by this time probably will get up to 24 and pulse 
probably 60. Expiring hot air and loaded with moisture, espec- 
ially plain if the horse is in a cold atmosphere. By this time 
the appetite is less and the thirst probably a little increased, feces 
inclined to be slimy, discharge from the nose quite profuse and 
more or less starch like, cough deep, painful and suppressed. 
When the horse coughs he arches his back, lowers his head and 
refrains from coughing as much as possible because it is painful ; 
coughs with his mouth shut, which is about the only case where 
this occurs. 

This stage is very indefinite in length, may be from 3-20 days. 
In moderately bad cases the mucous rattle will be heard in the 
large bronchi. In a very severe case you will hear a squeaky 



58 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

sound iii the outer third of the lung. When you hear this you 
can conclude that you have a very serious case on hand. These 
sounds are spoken of as "sibilant" sounds and indicate a very 
severe and dangerous case. They indicate that the bronchial 
lobes are involved and the condition is so distinct that it has 
been given a separate name called Bronchiolitis, which is an in- 
flammation of the mucous lining of the bronchioles. In the first 
stage you are not likely to hear a rattle in the outer third of the 
lungs but as the case runs into the second stage and through it, 
the effusion is more plastic than that in the large bronchi, so 
much so that another name is given to it: it is called "fibrinous," 
which indicates a coagulable character and suggests possible 
dangers — effusion and exudation and tendency to coagulate and 
plug the bronchi. In this case under auscultation there will be 
more or less dullness or possibly more or less absence of sound, 
which will compel you to consider the case very dangerous. 
This will involve any part of one lung or both lungs. If both 
lungs are involved the horse will surely die. This dullness or 
partial absence of sound under auscultation indicates occlusion of 
the bronchi. In a favorable case the fever subsides and the 
mucous rattle gradually grows less, coughing is less often and 
painful and the appetite returns. The horse has been persis- 
tently standing up to this time, but he may soon lie down and 
the lungs recover by resolution. In neglected or prolonged cases 
the horse may retain his cough for many months or even life. 

In the third stage (suppuration) some of the mucous glands 
suppurate, the discharge from the nose then becomes muco- 
purulent. The odor of the expiring air is fetid. This fetor is a 
positive indication of the third stage. The temperature usually 
remains around 103 to 104, possibly dropping a little; pulse 60, 
70, 75 or 78, weak, soft and small, appetite poor; horse loses 
flesh rapidly and dies in from 2 to 4 weeks from septicemia. 
The fetor of this expiring air is so marked that you can 
smell it plainly. 

90% of the cases of bronchitis in the third stage die and it 
is safe to say that at least 90% of the cases that do not run 
beyond the second stage recover. In cattle acute bronchitis is 
more apt to prove fatal than in horses. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 59 

Special Pathology. — In the first stage the ciliary epithelium 
is ruffled up producing the sensation of rawness that we feel in 
such cases and the mucous membrane is intensely congested. 

In the second stage the effusion of serum increases and there 
is a secretion of degenerated mucous that coagulates more or less. 
This serum macerates the attachments of the ciliary epithelium 
and they become loose and float out with the discharge leav 
ing the surface unprotected. If the disease is confined to the 
bronchi no further development will take place unless it goes 
on to the third stage, which is that of suppuration. In that case 
some suppuration will take place and probably ulceration. This 
ulceration in all probability leads to a fatal termination by absorp- 
tion of the putrefactive matter. In cases of bronchitis the effu- 
sion is drawn back by inspiration, leading to the plugging of the 
bronchi. This condition is spoken of as "occlusion." In some 
cases some of the thinner portion of the effusion or mucous may 
be forced back into the vesicles. The air in the vesicles at the 
ends of the occluded bronchioles becomes absorbed. In that case 
the vesicles collapse which constitutes atelectasis, producing what 
is known as " fetal lung." 

Post Mortem. — There are three stages in bronchitis in which 
horses may die. One is when the effusion in the bronchi is ex- 
cessive, filling the smaller bronchi and the horse dies from 
asphyxiation, practically in the same condition as an animal 
would be under water. In bronchitis with effusion the medium 
sized bronchi are full and the horse practically drowns. The 
second is when he goes into the third stage and dies from 
septicaemia. Third, when he has bronchiolitis with occlusion and 
atelectasis. 

The post mortem characteristics are as follows : The large 
bronchi are about half filled, we will say, with a frothy, bloody, 
sero-mucous liquid ; the smaller or medium sized bronchi will' be 
found full of this. Cut the lung across and upon pressure large 
quantities of this liquid will be forced out of the bronchi. If 
the horse dies in the third stage pus will be present. If you lay 
open the bronchi you will find more or less ulceration. The 
affected part of the lungs will be blue, non-crepitant, usually with 
small whitish spots or specks, about a quarter the size of a pin- 



60 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

head under the pleura. These specks are mucous or serum which 
is forced back into the vessels in the effort to breathe. 

Treatment of an average case with a temperature of 107 fol- 
lowing a chill ; horse weighing 1200 lbs ; pulse 55 ; respiration 
20; visible mucous membranes red, head hanging, ears drooping. 

Criticise the stable; see that the horse does not stand in a 
draft and gets plenty of fresh air. Ventilate the stable well. Put 
in a box stall if possible. Put a stove in the barn under the 
window, a thermometer near the horse and keep the tempera- 
ture of the stable 60 to 66 degrees. Put two blankets and a 
hood on him, bandage his legs, keep the drafts off his feet by 
placing plenty of straw on the floor. If the horse has a rapid 
pulse, if effusion is profuse and there is depression, then give 
him a simulant. 

Give 1 dram of acetanilid every 2-4 hours, according to the 
size of the horse. Put on regular fever mixture less the aconite 
with 1 ounce of muriate of ammonia. Apply some counter-irri- 
tant on both sides of the neck and in front. Provide a nurse 
day and night and see the horse twice a day. 

With the fever mixture and the acetanilid you can reduce 
the fever in 24 hours. If the mucous glands are severely excited 
and inflamed, then do not try to reduce it too quickly. 

Suppose you have a severe case — temperature 104, pulse 90, 
respiration 30, etc. You must stimulate with alcohol, quinine, 
strychnine, strophanthus and perhaps nitroglycerine. Increase 
the strength of the heart if possible. We get the best results 
from moderate doses repeated often. 

If you have a valuable draft stallion to treat, mucous rales, 
pulse 90 and soft, mucous membranes blue, etc., give a dram of 
nux vomica every hour night and day and a dram of alcohol and 
20 grains of quinine the same time. 

Alcohol promotes diuresis sufficiently in this stage. It is a 
good plan to add a little gentian to keep the stomach in order. 
Give the animal anything that he will eat. 

Counter-irritation I am a firm believer in. For this use 
ammoniacal liniment or mustard. 

As to hygiene keep the patient warmly clothed and the stable 
at the right temperature. 






OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 61 

In painful persistent bronchial cough give fl. ex. glycyrrhiza, 
ammonium chloride, strychnine, strophanthus or digitalis, and an 
anodine such as heroin (an alkaloid) of which give a grain 
every 4 hours. Make up a mixture on this basis. 

In prescribing you must know the physiological action of 
drugs. 

As regards cats and dogs, they can be dosed according to 
the breed, size and age of the animal. 

Cattle are more subject to fatal bronchitis than horses. 

Prognosis. — Bronchiolitis is serious. In acute bronchitis 90% 
recover and the other 10% includes bronchiolitis and suppura- 
tive bronchitis. 50% of bronchiolitic cases recover and 10% of 
suppurative bronchitis. 

Chronic Bronchitis does not exist very often in horses. It 
has a peculiar morbid anatomy — a chronic dilatation of the 
bronchioles, and a chronic irritation of the mucous membranes. 
This in cattle is so marked, and the exudate is so plastic, that 
fibrinous tumors forms in the large bronchi. This never occurs 
in horses, but is found in people and in cattle and predisposes 
the animal to tuberculosis at least this is the general opinion. 

Such an animal is always unthrifty and has a distressing 
bronchial cough. 

Treatment. — There is not very much that can be done. Treat 
on general principles. Give animal a lot of grass. Give a heart 
stimulant along with 

1. Iodide of Potash. 

2. Strychnine. 

3. Muriate of ammonia. 

4. Heroin. 

Hydrocyanic acid is recommended by some text-books, but 
I have not had success with it. It kills by paralyzing the heart. 

HEAVES OR PULMONARY EMPHYSEMA. 

This disease is known among horsemen as broken wind. 
Pulmonary emphysema would seem a paradoxical expression be- 
cause emphysema indicates that air is present where it should 



62 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

not be; but in this case we have dilated air vesicles and an 
excess of air in a place where air is normally. 

Nature. — Pulmonary Emphysema is a neurosis affecting the 
pneumogastric nerve, and incidentally the heart and lungs. In 
the lungs the air vesicles dilate and sometimes rupture, with ex- 
tensive destruction of the contractility of the lung substance. 
Consequently dyspnoea results. 

Etiology. — We divide the causes into four classes: 1. Hered- 
ity ; 2. Breed ; 3. Dietetics ; 4. Structural changes, dependent 
upon a previously diseased condition. 

It is difficult to say wherein heredity produces heaves — so 
much so that in localities where stallion inspection is practiced, 
a "heavy" stallion cannot stand in a public stud, and this is 
proper. Heaves is unquestionably hereditary. Dr. Baker sug- 
gests that this factor may have a relation to the gluttonous appe- 
tite of the parent. 

Breed is not a very important factor in the etiology. Prof. 
Robertson claimed, however, that the light draft breed is most 
subject to heaves. 

Dietetics cuts a very important figure. This even plays its 
part in heredity. A bulky innutritious diet, tends to produce 
heaves — especially is overripe Timothy hay a very common cause 
of heaves. All horses living on overripe Timothy do not have 
heaves, but heredity comes in. 

In structural changes depending upon a previously diseased 
condition, the lungs may have had their function partially sus- 
pended by pneumonia or bronchitis and the healthy part had to 
do the work of the whole, in which a chronic dilation of the air 
vesicles took place. 

In case of dilatation of the bronchioles, the air vesicles at 
the ends of those bronchioles become dilated and the lung is 
emphysematous. 

When a horse with a full stomach is driven rapidly against 
a strong wind, he is very apt to develop heaves. The pathogene- 
sis is this : the stomach rests upon the diaphragm interfering 
with respiration and the horse takes in too much wind and the 
powers of expiration become tired. The horse takes in more 
air than his lungs can dispel because the diaphragm gets tired. 
due to pressure of the stomach. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 63 

Nature. — Pulmonary emphysema may be either vesicular or 
interlobular. Vesicular is seen in the horse in the form of dilata- 
tion of the vesicles. Interlobular is seen in cattle in which the 
air is found in the interlobular connective tissue. The probable 
reason for this difference is that in the horse there is very little 
interlobular connective tissue and the walls of the vesicles are 
stronger, while in cattle the interlobular connective tissue is 
abundant and there is little or no resistance to the air passing 
through the vesicular walls into the connective tissue around it. 

Pathogenesis and Morbid Anatomy. — In this connection I 
shall endeavor to show you the connection between cause and 
effect and how the effect is produced by the cause through the 
pneumogastric nerve. The pathogenesis will also include the 
morbid anatomy. 

Assume that a horse has a prevalent hereditary appetite and 
is a ravenous eater; eats all that is given him, wants more and is 
inclined to eat his bedding after he has eaten his feed! The 
result is distention of the stomach, partly caused by eating more 
or less innutritious food. Over-ripe Timothy hay is not fit for 
horse feed. If he has to eat it he should not be allowed to eat 
more than two-thirds of the straw, this the upper part; the 
lower third or perhaps half of it is too woody and hard and 
and contains little nourishment. Suppose now that this horse with 
a ravenous appetite is being fed on over-ripe Timothy hay, — he 
will develop the heaves. He is forced into the habit of having 
his stomach filled with innutritious food and will soon not be 
satisfied with the ordinary amount of feed. The result is that 
the walls of the stomach become distended, and this produces 
pressure on the gastric periphery of the pneumogastric nerves. 
This is the starting point of heaves. It starts in the stomach. 
This pressure effects these peripheral nerves, increases their irrit- 
ability. This disturbed condition of the nerve constitutes what 
is known as neurosis. The neural disturbance works off up- 
wards and forwards through the pneumogastric and involves the 
pulmonary and more or less the cardiac branches. The pul- 
monary branch is lessened in tonicity which allows the vesicles 
to dilate by reducing their tonicity. These vesicles dilate a little 



64 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



more and more every day until finally the dilatation becomes 
chronic. 

In connection with the pathogenesis, especially as it refers to 
morbid anatomy, notice the results on the vesicle walls. The 
first affect of the dilatation is anaemia of the vesicle walls. This 
is a natural mechanical result. The second effect is irritation, 
and then follows a mild subacute inflammation which runs into 
a chronic. The only evidence we have of chronic inflammation 
in these air vesicles is cell proliferation. This produces a thick- 
ening of the walls of the vesicles and destroys their contractility. 
If the early development of the disease is rapid you may get 
rupture of several vesicles into one large one. Imagine that this 
is quite general throughout the lungs and you can imagine you 
are going to have considerable disturbance in respiration. In thus 
pathogenic connection you will find that the horse is worse at 
times; this is due to the condition of the stomach. If a heaving 
horse gets an unusually big load of food in the stomach you will 
have increased irritability of the pneumogastric nerve and the pul- 
monary branches as well. This irritability of the sympathetic 
system that supplies the unstripped muscular fibres produces 
spasms. 

Symptoms. — Heaves may be incipient or confirmed. In incip- 
ient heaves you have the disturbed function without the morbid 
anatomy. In confirmed heaves you have the disturbed function 
and morbid anatomy. It is therefore difficult in some cases to 
diagnose the case of incipient heaves. If the doctor can diag- 
nose this he can cure it. Anybody can diagnose confirmed heaves, 
but nobody can cure it. 

The symptoms of incipient heaves are as follows: Breathing 
about 30; nostrils slightly dilated; spasmodic cough that is usu- 
ally dry but without pain; pulse and temperature normal; cough- 
ing two or three minutes ; horse feels well, drives well and eats 
like a pig — never misses a meal; abdomen good sized, though 
probably not over large; animal usually in good flesh, assuming 
that he is liberally fed and exercised every day. If the horse is 
quiet for two or three hours you can hear a little mucous rattle 
at the base of the trachea. This mucous rattle indicates irritation 
of the bronchi or perhaps of the bronchioles. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 65 

In confirmed heaves we have these symptoms : inspiration 
normal; first half of expiration normal; second half requiring 
additional force which is brought to bear upon the diaphragm 
by contraction of the abdominal muscles, which throws the 
abdominal viscera forward upon the diaphragm, pressing the 
lungs. Concomitant with this is a firm contraction of the inter- 
costal muscles and the second half of the tidal air is forced out 
by mechanical pressure. Just as soon as this is accomplished 
the abdominal muscles instantly drop back to their normal posi- 
tion. This produces a flank movement which is characteristic 
of heaves. If this flank movement is present you can satisfy 
yourself that the case is one of heaves, that is incurable and that 
there is morbid anatomy in the lungs. In chronic heaves the 
cough is apt to be more spasmodic. Sometimes the horse will 
cough for a minute or two without stopping. During asthmatic 
exacerbations the nostrils are dilated and the visible mucous 
membranes frequently become cyanotic. A chronic heaver al- 
ways suffers more or less from chronic indigestion. This is 
manifested by a thinness of flesh, pot belly, long coat and gen- 
eral unthriftiness." 

Treatment. — The whole treatment should have a bearing upon 

the pneumogastric nerve which needs its irritability lessened. 

The following is a good prescription: 

$ 

Fl. Ex. Gelsemium 1 dram 

Lobelia 1 dram 

Chloral Hydrate . (freshly dissolved) 1 dram 

Aqua 1 pint 

The treatment should follow along the line of a tonic for 

the nerves. 

Best tonic arsenic 

Best stimulant ' strychnine 

Best sedative lobelia 

Bear in mind that the horse will eat anything — in fact is in- 
clined to be gluttonous. Therefore give his medicine in powders. 

In order to insure that the horse gets the powder, put a 
double handful of bran in with the oats, dampen it, and mix 
well. This is the only medicine the horse will require. 



66 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

Arsenic 2 drams 

Lobel. sem. pulv 8 ounces 

Nux Vomica 4 ounces 

Gentian Rd 4 ounces 

Charcoal 1 ounce 

Ft. 60 powders — these will last a month. 
M. Sig. — 1 powder night and morning in the feed. 
Hygiene. — Regulate feed. Give horse a change of hay — 
limit the amount to 10-14 lbs. a day. After he has eaten up his 
hay put on a muzzle. This is absolutely indispensable. It is a 
good plan to divide the feed into 2 feeds. If the horse is on the 
track, take him away and let him rest a month — this gives the 
air cells time to rest. Give the same amount of grain as usual. 
The stomach in this case- is distended from bulky food, and 
not from the grain. There is a lot of virtue in bran — not from 
its nutritive qualities but from its indigestibility. 

In 3 or 4 weeks the cough will disappear if the hygiene is 
regarded. After having one attack, the horse is predisposed for 
another. This hygiene must be carried out as long as he lives. 
Three points I wish to emphasize. 

1. That the nature of case is neurosis starting in the 

stomach and we must treat the pneumogasric. 

2. Give a sedative, then a tonic. 

3. Then comes the muzzle. Do not forget the 

hygiene. 

Don't imagine that rapid breathing indicates thoracic trouble, 
and that breathing 30 times a minute and dilated nostrils are 
diagnostic of acute bronchitis. Do not diagnose a case from 
the first symptoms or one symptom. In incipient heaves you have 
dilated nostrils without dropping of the flanks. Just as soon 
as you get morbid anatomy, then you have confirmed heaves. 
Incipient heaves is curable ; confirmed heaves is not — it all hangs 
on the morbid anatomy. 

Confirmed Heaves. — The treatment practically is the same 
except you may have to give more of the nerve sedatives and treat 
the stomach, for it is always in a state of chronic indigestion. Do 
not give too much arsenic. You can relieve the distress in the 
breathing in confirmed heaves, but can't cure it. If you have to 
give Timothy hay, let it be cut early, when it is full in bloom. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 67 

If you wait until the bloom (2nd bloom) is off, the lower half of 
the stalk is of no use. 

In examining horses for soundness, you must watch closely 
for the wind of the horse, for dealers have means of covering up 
the wind by giving alleviating remedies. Watch the action of 
the flanks ; Notice how long it takes the horse to recover. Nor- 
mal horse recovers his wind in two or three breaths ; a horse 
may take an half hour — then be suspicious. Catch the horse 
by the bit and shake him up ! Slap him on the ribs, and if he has 
confirmed heaves he will grunt — then turn him down. 

You can't cover up a roarer with dope so that if he is a 
whistler, a roarer, etc., the quick jump will bring it out, but the 
grunt indicates heaves. 

If a bovine has heaves, it is no great matter; we are never 
called to treat it— it is simply a scientific pathological curiosity. 

ASTHMA. 

There is a great difference of opinion as to whether horses 
have asthma or not, but the best authorities recognize it. It is 
so closely related to heaves that the two are identical with a 
little difference in symptoms. 

Symptoms. — These are as follows : 

1. Asthma never arises as an original 

lesion — animal has heaves in the incip- 
ient or confirmed form. 

2. Marked dyspnoea — equally so in in- 

spiration and expiration. 

3. Whelfing both in inspiration and ex- 

piration. The air goes in and out 
with difficulty but in heaves the ex- 
piration only is accompanied by strong 
breathing. 

4. Symptoms suddenly developed. 

5. Anxious countenance. 

6. Flanks heaving. 

7. Wheezing. 



68 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

8. Temperature, 102-5. 

9. Pulse 60. 

Diagnosis. — How shall we differentiate asthma from acute 
bronchitis ? The wheeze we never get in acute bronchitis ; it is 
produced by spasmodic contraction of the non-striated muscles 
in the bronchioles, and this contraction is caused by the sud- 
denly increased irritability of the pneumogastric nerve. The 
pulse and temperature are incidental — not diagnostic, probably 
due to the dyspnoea. 

Treatment. — Nerve sedative is indicated. The sedatives are : 

1. Gelsemium. 

2. Lobelia. 

3. Chloral Hydrate. 
4; Belladonna. 

Give liberal doses every hour until horse is relieved. Also 
you can give a hypodermic dose of morphine (4 gr) and atro- 
pine (1-2 grain) and repeat after 3 or 4 hours. 

PULMONARY CONGESTION. 

In its severe form pulmonary congestion is known as pul- 
monary apoplexy, mechanical engorgement, hemorrhagic infrac- 
tion (impaction means the same), etc. 

Nature. — It is a passive congestion of the lungs — the capillar- 
ies and veins are involved. Suppose the capillaries become 
plugged and the outlet is dammed and the arterioles become in- 
volved, as a result we get: 

1. Interrupted nutrition. 

2. Dilatation of the blood vessels. 

3. More or less extravasation. 

4. Sometimes hemorrhage by rhexis. 

In case of hemorrhagic infraction, it is never general through- 
out the lungs, but in patches, which are black and solid. 

Etiology. — The most common cause of a typical case is se- 
vere exertion when the animal is not in a condition to take it. 
This applies to horses. A horse "out of condition" is gross — has 
not had sufficient work. The animal is plethoric and there is an 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, 69 

excess of fat in the muscles and loin, which weakens the mus- 
cles, and that around the heart weakens the heart. The bowels 
are larger and more vascular ; the blood vessels are larger and 
the walls are weaker. 

A horse "in condition" to take fast work is in just the reverse 
condition. 

1. Muscles are clearly delineated and 

hard. 

2. Walls of vessels are strong. 

3. Contractility of the lung tissue is 

strong — weak in horse "out of condi- 
tion." 
Horse "out of condition" has weak heart; horse "in condi- 
tion" has a strong heart. The conditioning of a horse to do fast 
work is a slow process, but he must have regular work — work off 
the surplus water and fat. Let the horse stand in the stable 10 
days, well fed, and not exercised, and then be taken out. Then 
if he starts out at 12 miles an hour the following symptoms will 
show up: 

1. Horse begins to slow. 

2. Slows up in his gait. 

3. Short in his wind. 

If the driver has any sense, he will let him slow up, but sup- 
pose he hits him a crack, and the horse jumps into a quick pace 
again, then 

4. He breaks out into sweat. 

5. Slows up again. 

6. Looks around — eyes blood-shot. 

7. Anxious countenance. 

8. Elbows turned out. 

9. Panting 100 a minute. 

10. Expired air is cold — air does not reach 

the capillaries so as to get warm. 

11. Ears and extremities cold. 

12. Hemoptysis (in bad cases) — bleeding 

from lungs. 

13. Blood coming from the nostrils is 

frothy. 



70 theory and Practice 

14. Action of heart is tumultuous — the 

beats come piling in one after another. 

15. Pulse irregular in every respect — fre- 

quency, force and rythm. 
In an aggravated case — we do not see it in this country — the 
horse dies right away. Such can happen in young bloods, in 
fox hounds, etc., which are at the mercy of the hunter. 

So far as other causes are concerned, impure air may cause 
passive congestion of the lungs — the imperfectly aerated blood 
would not support the brain properly. This occurs in cold sta- 
bles which are shut up tight, and the air becomes poor in quality. 

Morbid Anatomy. — There is no free arteriole anastomosis be- 
tween the lung lobules, and the consequences are grave on ac- 
count of this fact. The infraction occurs in patches, and what- 
ever capillaries become plugged, the blood supplying that part 
cannot get away and it is impure blood. If the impacted por- 
tion is large enough, the animal will die of asphyxia, but in any 
case the impacted portion dies, and moist gangrene results : the 
animal dies in 3 or 4 days. In case the congestion is not severe 
enough to cause gangrene, then it probably will produce inflam- 
mation and end in pneumonia. 

These are the four results of pulmonary congestion: 

1. Resolution — congested products become 

absorbed. 

2. Moist gangrene of certain portions. 

3. Pneumonia. 

4. Asphyxia. 

Post Mortem. — The lesions depend upon the immediate cause 
of death: 

1. Asphyxia — lungs Wack. 

2. Gangrene — lungs green. 

3. Pneumonia (always limited to certain parts) por- 

tions of lung will be red or gray. 

4. In case of impaction there will be more 

or less bloody froth in the tubes. Mi- 
croscopically there is more or less ex- 
travasation of the blood into the vesi- 
cles, thrombosis may be present. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 71 

Hypostalic congestion of the lungs occurs in this condition. 
The lung is not as severely congested; no bloody froth in the 
bronchioles; normal crepitation and normal specific gravity of 
the lung; blood is not forced in — simply due to gravitation; no 
exudation, no extravasation, no hemorrhage by rhexis or diape- 
desis. This kind of congestion plays a very important part in di- 
agnosis for forensic purposes. 

Treatment. — Give plenty of fresh air ; keep him quiet — do not 
let the horse be ridden or driven home; take him to the nearest 
stable and leave him there until he recovers. Clothe him warmly. 
Give him stimulants — alcohol, strychnine, atropine, aromatic 
spirits of ammonia, digitalis, strophanthus. 

Bear in mind that the congestion is due to diminished cardiac 
power. It used to be practiced to bleed horses in this con- 
dition, but we do not do it any more. The weak heart dictates 
the rationality of the treatment. Keep the animal quiet for sev- 
eral days and watch for pneumatic symptoms. Clothe warmly, 
bandage legs, and keep on light diet. If gangrene develops, great 
and sudden weakness come on, loss of appetite, etc. 

PNEUMONIA. 

Definition. — Pneumonia is an inflammation of the parenchyma 
of the lungs, i. e., the air vesicles. It is divided into several dif- 
ferent classes : 

Location. — 

1. Lobar — when a whole lobe is affected. 

2. Lobular — when it is limited to the lob- 

ules. 
Character — 

1. Fibrinous or Croupous. 

2. Catarrhal — usually complicated with 

bronchitis — broncho-pneumonia. 

3. Caseous Pneumonia — tuberculosis. 

4. Interstitial Pneumonia — when the in- 

flammation is located in interstitial tis- 
sue. 



72 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

We also have (1) Contagious and (2) Non-Contagious 
(sporadic) pneumonia. Pleurisy is sometimes combined with 
pneumonia and we get pleuro -pneumonia.. The horse practically 
always has the lobar pneumonia and it is always fibrinous. He 
has both the contagious and the non-contagious and has the inter- 
stitial as a complication in glanders. Occasionally he has the 
catarrhal form as far as the complication of bronchitis with it is 
concerned, constituting broncho-pneumonia, but the pneumonia 
is fibrinous. 

The catarrhal form is seen most often in children; fibrinous 
in horses and men. The catarrhal is usually the form seen in 
dogs and cats. Caseous is seen in cattle, men and swine. 

Characteristics of cut surface of consolidated lung : 

1. Fibrinous — glistening, rough, dry, i. e., 

comparatively. 

2. Catarrhal — smooth and moist. 

3. Caseous — opaque, cheesy, smooth and 

lustreless. 

4. Interstitial — this is more the inflamma- 

tion of the interlobular connective tis- 
sue, and extends to the vesicles only 
secondarily. This is the pneumonia 
which complicates glanders, seen also 
in coal miners. 
Fibrinous pneumonia is usuually lobar, while the catarrhal is 
frequently lobular. Pneumonia may be single or .double — right 
or left lateral. It runs through four well defined stages. As- 
suming now that preceding the pneumonia there must be active 
congestion of the lungs, the various stages are : 

1. Dry hot stage of inflammation in which 

the function is suspended. Walls of 
the vesicles are dry, and during respi- 
ration they crackle and the sound can 
be heard by auscultation instead of 
the normal respiratory murmur. 
Stage lasts 6-10 hours. 

2. Stage of effusion — the lung becomes 

cedematous and will pit on pressure. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 73 

In the contagious pleuro-penumonia 
of cattle the cut lung will drip with 
serum — never so oedematous in horses. 
Stage lasts 3-4 days and graduually 
drifts into the 3rd stage. 

3. Red hepatization — so-called because the 

lung resembles liver in constituency. 
The third stage is long according to 
the severity of it. Stage lasts 1-2 
weeks and drifts into the fourth. 

4. Gray hepatization — this is practically 

the same as the 3rd stage except that 
the tissue loses its color and the hemo- 
globin fades out. 
The time of crisis comes at the height of the 3rd stage. This 
is followed by a progressive softening which runs through the 
4th. In recovery the inflammatory reposits soften, liquefy and 
become absorbed, terminating in resolution in the large ma- 
jority of horses. More horses recover from pneumonia than any 
other species of animal. It is marvelous to what extent they 
recover. 

Pneumonia may occur in either one side or the other, either 
the right or left lateral or both lungs, in which case it is double. 
We find by experience that it occurs most often on the right 
side. Right lateral pneumonia is more common than left lateral 
or double. I think that in this respect it will correspond to the 
observations in the human subject. A German authority gives 
the. following statistics of 6666 cases of pneumonia in the human: 
53.70 per cent were right lateral. 
38.23 per cent were left lateral. 
8.07 per cent were double. 
These will run about the same in the horse. 
Semeiology. — First Stage — Breathing is accelerated, nostrils 
dilated slightly, temperature probably 106, pulse 50, full, round 
and strong. Auscultation reveals a faint crackling sound in the 
lungs ; respiration probably 20. 

Second stage — By auscultation you hear some crackling and 
a good deal of dullness ; respiration a little faster, probably 24 ; 



74 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

nostrils a little more dilated; visible mucous membranes highly 
injected and about the 3rd day they begin to become icteric (yel- 
low). The secretions become altered, namely, the urine gets 
scanty and high colored; feces are scanty; what pellets are 
passed are coated with slime; thirst increases; expired air hot; 
tubular breathing increased. In normal respiration you do not 
hear any tubular breathing; the air passes in and out without 
any perceptible sound. But in case of rapid breathing, as the 
vesicles begin to fill, we can hear the air rushing in and out 
through the bronchioles. This is called "tubular breathing." In 
normal breathing the only sound we hear is the quiet respiratory 
murmur. 

The symptoms run along from day to day gradually grow- 
ing worse : temperature always 106 ; pulse getting more rapid, — 
3rd day^about 60; 4th, 64; 5th, 70; 6th, 75; and 7th, 80. The 
strength of the pulse will depend upon the extent of the lungs 
involved. If both lungs are involved, the case is usually fatal. 
A case of double pneumonia that is fatal generally dies on the 
5th day. The animal may live to the 6th, and if he lives to the 
7th, there is hope that the crisis will be passed with safety and 
he will recover. 

Suppose that a fatal case with extensive consolidation has 
been running for 5 days : on the morning of the 5th day you 
find the nostrils intensely dilated, respirations probably 40-50 
per minute, and there is an impulse given to the body by the res- 
piration. You will detect that impulse by placing your hand 
on the hip of the animal. This impulse is in direct proportion 
to the amount of dyspnoea present. This is a valuable point in 
making your prognosis. In other words, the greater the im- 
pulse, the greater the labor in breathing with disastrous conse- 
quences. 

The mucous membranes begin to get cyanotic by about the 
end of the 3rd day. This increases until time of death, when 
they are livid with an orange tinge. As death approaches, the 
horse sweats in patches, his extremities get cold, and exhaustion 
develops rapidly. He persistently stands all through the course 
of the disease until he drops and dies from asphyxia. 

After the lungs have become solid, under percussion you get 



Of veterinary medicine. 75 

a solid dense sound, — no sound except the tubular breathing. 
Note particularly that there is a difference between pneumonia 
and hydro-thorax. In pneumonia you hear the tubular breath- 
ing to the very bottom; in hydrothorax you hear no sound be- 
low the water line. This tubular breathing is a very important 
symptom in pneumonia, in which it is a diagnostic symptom. No 
respiratory murmur can be heard for the air vesicles are full. 
In such a condition the expired air is usually cold, for it does 
not stay in the lungs long enough to get warmed up. 

Etiology. — A specific pneumococcus causes an ordinary case 
in croupous pneumonia. In other cases a bacillus is found, which 
some bacteriologists consider pathogenic for this disease. But 
these germs are usually found in the mouth of the healthy ani- 
mal so that it yields to the action of germs which are con- 
stantly present in his mouth. 

A lowered resistence on the part of the animal will allow 
the bacteria to grow and multiply. Those exciting causes are 
as follows : 

1. Exposure to cold and wet. If the cold 

is damp, this aggravates the case. 

2. Insufficient ventilation. 

3. Defective cardiac power as seen in pas- 

sive congestion of the lungs. 

4. Inhalation of smoke and irrespirable 

gases. 

5. Foreign bodies taken in through the 

trachea and bronchi. 

6. Gastric flatulence and eructations. 

7. Faulty mechanism of deglutition, — epi- 

glottis does not close over the rima 
glottis properly, *and eructated matter 
from the stomach falls down the 
larynx. This ocurs in severe nervous 
disturbance in gastric flatulence. 

8. Traumatisms. 

9. Broken rib — end jammed into the lung. 
10. Old age — senile pneumonia. 

Pneumonia is a peculiar disease especially as it is seen in 



76 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

old age. In this condition probably the nervous system is worn 
out, and we get a weak heart — diminished cardiac power, there- 
fore, being the cause of the congestion and the pneumonia. 

Contagious Pneumonia. — We do not know much about its 
cause. Horses affected with influenza, known as "shipping fe- 
ver," "sales stable fever," etc., have this pneumonia. This form 
of pneumonia arising as an accidental feature of influenza is spe- 
cific — it is contagious. Upon physical examination we find no 
difference from the ordinary form of pneumonia, but the his- 
tory is different. I consider that this pneumonia is a local man- 
ifestation of a constitutional disease. 

Symptoms. — There are two marked symptoms which occur 
in the contagious pneumonia : 

1. Great nervous prostration. 

2. Marked icterus. 

These symptoms are not so marked in sporadic pneumonia. 
In the contagious the prostrated nerves fail to act in the liver 
and we get biliary congestion, the bile becomes absorbed and the 
mucous membranes become yellow. It takes three or four days 
for this symptom to appear. 

Interstitial Pneumonia of Glanders. — This is an incidental lo- 
calization of the virus of the disease. It attacks the interstitial 
tissue primarily, and extends to the parenchymatous tissue sec- 
ondarily. 

Contagious Pleuro-pneumonia of Cattle. — This is a specific 
usually lobular, but in severe cases may be lobar. In all cases 
pneumonia which produces a localization of the virus. It is 
fibrinous. When localized, it becomes encapsulated, indi- 
cating that the pneumonia is sharply circumscribed. Its defi- 
nite localization is a marked characteristic of the disease. This 
pneumonia becomes chronic ; it never terminates by resolution. 
In '87-'88 two-thirds of the Cook County cattle died from con- 
tagious pleuro-pneumonia. 

Symptomatology. — Contagious pleuro-pneumonia is usually 
preceded by a rigor. There is high fever on the first day ; tem- 
perature 106; pulse full, round, strong and about SO; fine crack- 
ling sounds in the lungs ; breathing about 22. The second day 
the temperature is still 106; respirations about 26; not so much 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 77. 

crackling ; lessened respiratory murmur ; increased tubular 
sounds ; part is dull under percussion ; expired air is hot ; urine 
is scanty and high-colored ; feces scanty ; usually complete anor- 
exia. On the third day the temperature is still the same — 106 ; 
pulse 66 ; respirations 30 ; mucous membranes yellowish ; nos- 
trils dilated ; considerable impulse to the body by respiration ; 
thirst increased ; elbows turned out ; pellets of feces coated with 
slime; by auscultation the lung substance is dull, by percussion 
less resonance. The fourth day (now in the third stage), tem- 
perature 106.5; mucous membranes cyanotic; body impulse in- 
creased; tubular breathing only (can be heard to the very bot- 
tom). Fifth day — temperature lowered, 104.5; pulse 80; res- 
pirations 30 ; heaving of the flanks ; increased cyanosis ; extrem- 
ities cold; rusty discharge from the nose (not always present); 
sometimes actual hemoptysis ; ears drooped ; haggard counte- 
nance ; expired air cold ; pulse growing imperceptible. The an- 
imal dies usuually on the 5th day. But if he recovers, the 
crisis is reached on the 7th day. As the lung clears up you 
will hear a little respiratory murmur here and there. 

Most horses recover quickly from pneumonia, but there will 
be an occasional one that will inger along for 4-6 months and 
then die. In such a case the consolidation was excessively hard, 
so that when it ran into the stage of gray hepatization, instead of 
resolution, the material broke down and formed abscesses. The 
products become absorbed and the horse dies from septicaemia. 

Treatment. — There is no specific treatment for pneumonia. 
Inasmuch as the pne'umococcus is recognized as a specific cause,. 
there will probably sometime be found a serum which will coun- 
teract the disease. Now we must treat the symptoms. With 
the pathology in mind we come to the conclusion that we must 
stimulate the heart. A strong heart tends to prevent consolida- 
tion; a weak heart encourages it. Therefore if you let the heart 
get weak, the horse will run down rapidly. 

Strychnine comes at the head of the list of stimulants. You 
cannot treat pneumonia successfully without it. I have not 
much use for digitalis — we do not get satisfactory results from 
using it in treating the horse. It is all right in the diseases of the 






78 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

dog and man. As regards alcohol we get good results from its 
use. 

Let us suppose a case in the first stage, the short stage. Heroic 
treatment may abort the disease. I would recommend either lib- 
eral blood-letting or a fever mixture such as acetanilid, aconite, 
belladonna and spirits of nitrous ether. The acetanilid will act 
the same as blood-letting, i. e., lower the temperature. Apply 
stimulants externally, say a liniment. The ammoniacal liniment 
is too strong to spread over the broad side of a horse ; the or- 
dinary white liniment which we use as a sprain liniment is good 
here. Apply a pint over the surface and then cover it immedi- 
diately. This warms the animal and seems _to act as a special 
stimulant to the vaso-motor system. Bandage the animal's legs, 
put him off by himself where he will not have to breathe the 
air of other animals, — where the air is not impoverished by the 
fumes of urine and feces. 

With this treatment for 24 hours, if you have been success- 
ful in aborting the disease, the temperature will have come down 
to normal, the pulse 50, though soft and perhaps a little weak. 

If the case comes to you in the second stage, pulse 60-70, 
mucous membranes yellow, etc., the case is serious. Pulse at 60 
is the danger point — you cannot abort the disease. With a view 
to eliminating the consolidation, carry the horse to the crisis. 
Cut out the aconite and potash until you produce diuresis. Give 
stimulants. Ill*] 

The following is a prescription for a serious case in the sec- 
ond stage : 

Quinine Sulphate 1 ounce 

Spts. Vini Rect 4 ounces 

Glycerin 6 ounces 

Fl. Ex. Nucis Vom 2 ounces 

Fl. Ex. Gent. Rd 2 ounces 

Aqua qs ad 1 quart 

M. Sig. — Give 2 ounces every 2 hours. Also give 

a dram of acetanilid every 2 hours until the 

temperature is lowered. 

If the horse weighs 1800 lbs. increase the dose. Repeat the 
stimulating liniment night and morning until he begins to get a 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 79 

little sore. Push the fever mixture until you get the heart to 
pounding like a hammer. 

External treatment in the form of ice packs over the lungs 
is good for pneumonia. A linseed poultice with mustard mixed 
in is preferred by some. Woolen blankets wet with cold water 
can be applied to the chest and covered with warm dry blankets. 
This abstracts heat and lowers the temperature, alleviating the 
congestion. 

In regard to hygiene avoid drafts, give good bedding, keep 
cold water before the animal and change often. In lieu of good 
grass, give scalded oats and bran with a pinch of salt. Give 
the horse anything that he will eat so as to keep up his appetite. 
Sometimes a horse will eat corn off the cob when he will not 
eat anything else. Keep the bowels open, — soap and water enema 
once or twice a day if necessary. Keep the temperature at 
102-4, but the main thing is the pulse. Keep it at 60 and below 
.and the horse is safe. Watch the action of the kidneys ; do not 
let the diuresis go too far. When sufficient, drop out the potash, 
the alcohol will maintain sufficient diuresis through the rest of 
the course. If necessary give a little Tr. Iron and lessen the al- 
cohol. Bear in mind that strychnine is the sheet anchor and 
hygiene comes next. 

If your case is one of broncho-pneumonia, add chloride of 
ammonia to the fever mixture. This is a special stimulant for 
bronchial diseases. 

PLEURISY. 

Definition. — Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura, a se- 
rous covering to the inside of the chest cavity (parietal) and to 
the outside of the lung (pulmonary). Between the two is a 
partition called the mediastinum. In the horse cribriform open- 
ings are in it making a communication between the right and 
left pleural cavities. The pleura normally secretes serum, which, 
however, is different from the serum of inflammation in that it 
is non-coagulable. 

In the horse pleurisy frequently exists as a separate and un- 
complicated disease, but in man and cattle, it often exists in com- 



80 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



bination with pneumonia. Pleurisy may affect either side (right 
or left lateral) and it may be on both sides (general). It may 
originate on either the costal or pulmonary pleura and extend 
to the other parts by contiguity. In most cases in the horse the 
costal pleura is the one most usually affected. 

Etiology. — There are several causes which come into play : 

1. Extension of inflammation to the pleura 

from contiguous tissues. 

2. Direct irritation from local injury or 

from adventitious growths. 

3. Exposure to cold and dampness. 

4. Blood contamination. Pleurisy in 

this case is the localization of a spe- 
cific disease, e. g., the contagious 
pleuro-pneumonia of cattle. In horses 
we find an equally typical case in the 
localization of influenza. 
Extension. — The pulmonary' pleura can easily be affected by 
an inflammation in the adjacent lung tissue, -such as we find in 
pneumonia. 

Direct Irritation. — Suppose a broken rib juts into the costal 
pleura, though not puncturing it. This irritation will set up an 
inflammation. A shaft thrust into the chest of a horse will 
often cause pleurisy ; grapy tumors so common in cattle and hogs 
will cause it. 

Exposure. — Meteorological conditions will cause pleurisy. If 
an animal has a long wet coat and stands for some time, he may 
come clown with an attack of pleurisy in a few hours. 

Blood Contamination. — The so-called "sales stable fever" or 
influenza, may cause pleurisy, but it is general while that due 
to the other three causes is localized. 

Pleurisy may develop from intrinsic conditions within the 
body, as from anaemia or pyaemia. Hereditary conditions, acute 
rheumatism any typhoid fever may cause it. It may be incidental 
to old age. In these latter conditions the pleurisy develops as a 
complication. 

Course. — Pleurisy runs through four well-defined stages : 
1. Stage of active congestion. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 81 

2. Dry hot stage of inflammation (first). 

3. Oedematous stage of inflammation (sec- 

ond). 

4. Absorption (if horse does not die). 

Special Pathology. — In the first stage of pleurisy, the pleura 
becomes congested in streaks, spots or patches. These by ex- 
tension become confluent until the whole pleural surface is bright 
red. This condition is accompanied by definite symptoms on the 
part of the animal. These symptoms are very marked and they 
do not occur in the congestive stage of any other inflammation. 
The second stage of pleurisy (the first or dry hot stage of in- 
flammation) is characterized by a dry hot pleural membrane 
whose function is suspended. The costal and pulmonary pleura 
are both dry rubbing on each other, and by auscultation friction 
sounds can be detected. The second stage is short, 6-8 hours. 
The third stage is the second or ©edematous, one of inflammation 
and is divided into two parts : A plastic exudation upon the 
pleural surface (the pleura is so dense that it cannot easily be- 
come infiltrated), — a coagulated mass forming a false mem- 
brane. In this first part of the third stage pleurisy may termi- 
nate by resolution, a sort of fatty degeneration of the false mem- 
brane ; or if both pleurae are involved, they may adhere and 
grow together, forming a perfect adhesion, common in cattle 
and in people, but not in horses. Recovery may take place after 
adhesions have formed, but the adhesions remain permanent. 
The second half of the third stage is characterized by an effusion 
into the pleural cavity, i. e., providing adhesions do not form. 
This effusion is called hydrothorax — water in the chest. The 
lungs float up until the animal cannot breathe and he dies from 
asphyxia. If the extent of oedematous pleura is not too big, 
and the inflammation subsides before the chest is more than one- 
third full, absorption will take place and the animal will re- 
cover. 

The special pathology of pleurisy is just as typical as in any 
other inflammation. All fatal cases of pleurisy die in the second 
half of the third stage. If the animal goes on to the fourth stage, 
the stage of absorption, he recovers. 

Hydrothorax is dangerous or not according to the amount 



82 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

of serum in the chest. Its quantity depends upon the extent of 
the inflammation and its severity. In most cases the liquid in 
the cavity is serum, but it may be permanent and the condition 
is called empyema. Empyema is much more serious than hydro- 
thorax. 

Symptomatology. — Pleurisy is ushered in with rigor which 
is more or less severe. As a rule it is less severe than the chill 
of bronchitis or pneumonia. The coat of the animal is staring 
and he has a rise of temperature. The congestion of the first 
stage is painful; the horse is restless, he paws, gets up and down, 
and sweats. These symptoms are often mistaken for those of 
colic. This mistake does no harm except that it delays the 
proper treatment. This stage lasts a few hours when the horse 
becomes more quiet, he is disinclined to move and breathes with 
care. His pulse is increased and begins to get hard; ribs are 
fixed; abdominal muscles contracted producing a line to the 
point of the elbow. This depression is called the pleuritic line, 
which as a rule we do not get in any other disease. 

As further symptoms we find the elbows turned out; ears 
drooping and cold ; legs cold and the expired air cold. The horse 
breathes as little as he can because it is painful, and the air 
does not reach the capillaries. Auscultation produces friction 
sounds over the affected part, like two dry surfaces rubbing to- 
gether. If you force the fingers between the ribs, it will cause 
pain and the horse will flinch and grunt. If you move him he 
will grunt. This grunt in acute diseases always indicates pleurisy 
in the horse; cattle, dogs and men grunt in other conditions. 
Also in chronic respiratory diseases in the horse we may have a 
grunt. When pleurisy is complicated with other diseases we 
can always detect it by the grunt. 

The second stage of pleurisy runs along for 24 hours and we 
find the pulse increased in frequency and hardness. In the first 
half of the third stage the horse persistently stands; pleuritic 
line is well marked; breathing increased to 30; temperature 104; 
urine scanty and high-colored; bowels inactive; friction sounds 
can still be heard but less on account of the plastic exudate, 
which lessens the pain as well. Up to this time the animal has 
eaten practically nothing, but now he begins to eat because the 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 83 

pain is diminished. The inflammation may subside right here 
and the horse go on to rapid recovery — in 4-5 days. But if the 
case runs through the third stage, then we get an effusion of se- 
rum into the thorax. The pain grows less and the animal will 
probably" lie down and eat a little. The owner thinks that the 
horse is getting better, but you can see that the eyes are brighter 
and his nostrils dilated, and the flanks begin to heave. The pleu- 
ritic line is lessened, and auscultation reveals increased respira- 
tory sounds above the water line, and a total absence of sound 
below. The lung floats up on the surface of the water and 
works harder than usual. As the serum in the chest increases, 
and as the case has been running 3 or 4 days, ceedema can be 
noticed on the legs as high up as the elbow. Oedematous thick- 
ening in the lower part of the chest between the skin and the 
ribs can be deteced. This is a very valuable corroborative symp- 
tom. If the pleurisy is complicated with pneumonia, it is easy 
to make a diagnosis, for tubular breathing can be heard. If the 
lungs are consolidated, they cannot float on the surface of the 
water and it is difficult to diagnose the condition. 

Some horses seem to be stronger than others and the oedema 
does not take place, but as a rule some is present. Also we get 
oedema as the result of local treatment and this must be differ- 
entiated from the pathological lesion. 

As the thoracic cavity of the animal fills up with water, no- 
tice that the nostrils are dilated, that the eyes bulge; the back 
arched; horse breathes more slowly; the expired air is cold in 
most cases; with the ear at the nostrils a metallic tinkle can be 
heard, although this tinkle is not diagnostic. But it is not heard 
in pneumonia nor in bronchitis. It is a mucous rattle in the 
bronchi, and is very pronounced. 

As the dyspnoea increases the mucous membranes get darker 
and become cyanotic. The horse dies from asphyxia. 

Hydrothorax may be single or double the same as pleurisy. 
In the mediastinum are cribriform openings through which the 
fluid can pass from one side to the other. In many cases these 
openings become plugged up. If the water does not fill the 
chest more than one-third full, the fluid can become absorbed 
and the animal recover. If the inflammation subsides during the 



84 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

first half of the third stage, the plastic exudate instead of soft- 
ening forms adhesions, and the lungs grow to the ribs. 

Symptoms of Pleural Adhesions. — After a horse has made an 
apparent good recovery and is put to work again, say he goes 
out driving, when he stops puts his nose to one side — and forgets 
all else. He may turn into the ditch and then go on. This act 
is due to a stitch in his side, a disturbance of the circulation 
around the adhesion, and it produces sharp, lancing pain. The 
animal does this once and then again. He is a good horse to 
get rid of. 

Treatment of Pleurisy. — If the doctor is called during the 
chill, he must treat that symptom until he can make a diagnosis 
as to whether the case is one of pneumonia, pleurisy, etc. Sup- 
pose now you have a carriage horse which has had to stand some 
time after a long drive and upon returning home and going 
to the stable he soon begins to hang his head, paws arourd, gets 
up and down, etc. The coachman gives him colic medicine but 
it does no good. Upon observing the respirations, you see that 
they are made with care ; the animal has a temperature of 
105-6; his pulse is 50. He has pleurisy. Adopt heroic meas- 
ures to abort the trouble ; and pleurisy is easily aborted. Put 
the horse on acetanilid and a fever mixture containing aconite. 
Apply local stimulants — the ammoniacal liniment, the white 
sprain liniment, or sinapis. The value of the external stimula- 
tion cannot be over estimated — its ability to abort disease. The 
liniment must smart and be prompt in its action. By next morn- 
ing the animal will be all right if you have aborted the case, 
which can be done 99 times out of a hundred. 

If you get a case in the second or third stage, or if your 
first case does not recover, apply a counter-irritant night and 
morning. Keep up the fever mixture with aconite to the mid- 
dle of the third stage. Repeat the acetanilid every four hours 
in moderate doses. Keep the temperature around 102 if possible, 
but do not dose too much with acetanilid. Keep the animal 
warm, feed light, and 90 per cent of the cases will yield to 
this treatment, and recover by resolution in the first half of the 
stage. The other 10 per cent will go on to hydrothorax. 

In case of generalized pleurisy "sales stable fever," you may 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 85 

get a horse with hydrothorax after a three days' sickness, while 
it ordinarily takes 10-20 days for this condition to develop. 
Pleurisy runs into the third stage very rapidly, but the chest does 
not fill up with water so quickly. Do not carry the stimulation so 
far as to blemish the side of the horse, but if you do make this 
blunder, you can tell the owner that it is better to have a scar 
on the side than to have a dead horse. You can tell a blister 
by pincing the skin. If it wrinkles, a blister is there. Open it 
and liberate any pus that is present, for blemishing is always 
brought about by leaving the pus and serum there. 

While the sides of the animal are soiled with liniment, put 
a cloth over the face when you wish to auscultate. 

Suppose now that you have a case of hydrothorax. Discon- 
tinue the counter irritant and the aconite. Give stimulants — 
strychnine, alcohol, etc., alternating with tincture of iron. The 
temperature in hydrothorax stays about 104. If the chest fills 
more than one-third full of water you must tap it. This opera- 
tion is called "paracentesis thoracis." 

With trocar and canula evacuate the serum. Some prefer to 
aspirate the serum, some draw it off with a rubber tube, empty- 
ing the fluid under water. Some think that it is not safe to draw 
off the water rapidly but this is a fallacy. As a consequence 
none of the trocars are big enough. This one that I use is 
three-eighths of an inch in diameter and has a short point, which 
is valuable in a case of pleuro-pneumonia. The short point will 
not be so liable to puncture a solid lung (one such as is char- 
acteristic of pneumonia). If the lung is not involved, it will be 
floated so high in the thoracic cavity that it will be out of the 
way of the trocar. In the majority of cases tap on the right 
side between the eighth and ninth ribs. Give the animal one- 
half pint of whiskey twenty minutes before beginning to ope- 
rate. This will prevent syncope. Never neglect this stimulant. 

Run the fingers down deep between the eighth and ninth 
ribs and in the pit that forms insert the scalpel, making an in- 
cision three-fourths of an inch long. After cutting through the 
skin, then go through the chest wall — go in slow. The incision 
should be made close to the anterior border of the rib. Insert 
the trocar and cannula and withdraw the trocar and the water 



86 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



begins to flow out. While it is running, if the horse shows any 
resistance, increase the twitch on his nose — this is all the re- 
straint that is necessary. If the operation is done between the 
seventh and eighth ribs, the elbow is apt to interfere, if the ani- 
mal is in pain and restless. Remove the twitch as soon as the 
flow is established. If there is any coagulum in the fluid, keep 
the cannula patulous with a small blunt instrument. The horse 
will improve at once with this operation. 

If the cribriform openings of the mediastinum are plugged, 
you may have to tap the other side. Wait a day or two before 
performing a second operation. Do up the wound with a dry 
dressing and keep on for a few days. 

In some cases you may have to tap again, but do not operate 
in the same place; make a fresh opening. Never open up the 
old sore. 

Prognosis. — This is according to the color of the serum: if 
amber colored, it is favorable; if red, unfavorable. 

In case of a purulent liquid, clean out the chest cavity with 
2-3 gallons of tincture of iodine — 1 per cent solution. Attach a 
rubber hose to the cannula, and run the solution (temperature 
102) into the chest from a fountain syringe. Hold there for 
10-15 minutes and then let it run out again. In the human two 
or three opening are made and the cavity is flushed out with a 
solution of bichloride of mercury. 

Pneumothorax. — In case of puncture or wounding of the 
thoracic wall, air may get into the chest. This is dangerous and 
will kill the animal if the pressure is sufficient to interfere with 
the action of the lungs. In such a case stop up the opening as 
quickly as possible. 

RECORD OF A CASE OF PNEUMONIA. 

HISTORY. — Case of a bay horse, 8 years old. He was 
taken sick one forenoon while standing in the railroad yard 
waiting for the milk train to come in. He came down with a 
chill soon after reaching home. Dr. Baker was called to see 
him the next day (13th). 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 87 

The following is the record of his pulse, temperature and res- 
piration for the two weeks of his sickness : 

Date. Temp. Pulse. Resp. 

13 End of 1st stage 104.8 60 24 

14 106.2 66 30 

15 2nd and 3rd 105.4 72 32 

16 stages 105.6 70 " 36 Crisis 

17 4th stage begins 104.4 68 48 passed. 

18 Gray hepatization 102.6 50 heart be- 32 

gins to pound 

19 102.8 56 32 

20 103.5 58 32 

21 102 50 20 Nervous 

22 101.6 ' 47 32 system 

23 102.2 48 33 only mod- 

24 101.6 48 30 erately 

25 100. 37 22 excited. 

TREATMENT. — The following was the dosage : 

Quinine y 2 ounce 

Nux Vom 1 ounce 

Fl. Ex. Gent 1 ounce 

Glycerine 3 ounces 

Alcohol . . 4 ounces 

Aqua qs ad 1 pint 

M. Sig. — One dose, 2 ounces every 2 hours. Also 
give 1 dram of acetanilid every 4 hours. 

On the 23rd day the quinine was stopped and ammonium car- 
bonate (1-2 dram) was substituted for it in the mixture, the 
alcohol being lessened to 3 ounces. The acetanilid was discon- 
tinued after the fifth day. 



88 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE, SYSTEM. 

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 
(Horse.) 

The lips are the prehensile organs, the incisor teeth are the 
nippers. The food pass back on the tongue, and while the 
animal is chewing, the salivary glands are stimulated to secrete 
enorrnous quantities of saliva, which is poured out partly to 
moisten the food and partly to digest it. Its digestive action 
is amylolytic, i. e., digests starch. It takes about 15 minutes for 
the saliva to act. The food is then formed into a bolus, which 
passes down the oesophagus to the stomach. 

In all monogastric animals the stomach is in a collapsed con- 
dition before eating begins; in ruminants some food is always 
present in the stomach. In monogastrics the stomach is no 
larger than the amount of food put into it. After the food en- 
ters the stomach, the starch digestion goes on for a little time, 
and some lactic acid is formed. The presence of the food stim- 
ulates the gastric juice to flow; this juice contains the hydro- 
chloric acid, and when its secretion is fully established, the starch 
digestion ceases. As soon as the acidulation comes up to a cer- 
tain point, the pylorus opens and the products of digestion (now 
called chyme) pass out into the duodenum, where the bile and 
pancreatic ferments act upon it. The action of the bile is three- 
fold: 

1. Changes the acid reaction to alkaline. 

2. Emulsifies the fat. 

3. Acts as a laxative. 

The pancreatic juice contains four ferments : 

1. Amylopsin — to digest starch. 

2. Steapsin — to digest fat. 

3. Rennin — to digest milk. 

4. Trypsin — to digest proteids. 

In the duodenum the chyme is changed to chyle. 
In the intestine the food meets with succus intericus, which 
Pawlow calls the "juice of juices." The food is absorbed by 

In the villi are the small lvm- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 89 

phatics which take in the fat, carrying it to the receptaculum 
chyli and from there on through the thoracic duct to the heart; 
the villus capillaries absorb the other products of digestion and 
carry them to the liver. 

The stomach is the fountain of health; if in good condition 
the animal is well. In man indigestion is the main factor caus- 
ing disease and this is also true in the other animals. The food 
is either too bulky, or too concentrated ; too rich or too poor ; too 
wet or too dry; contains too much indigestible matter or not 
enough of it; the animal is either over-fed or not fed enough; 
,he is fed at too long intervals or irregularly. 

As regards the tendency of digestive organs to develop dis- 
ease, this depends largely upon the parts of the digestive system 
most often in use : such parts will be most abused. In the horse 
the food is a short time in the stomach and a long time in the 
bowels. Consequently the horse has less disturbance in the stom- 
ach than in the bowels — diseases of the bowels are common. In 
ruminants the reverse conditions attain diseases of the stom- 
ach are common and rare in the bowels. 

The horse, not being a ruminant, should eat slowly and mas- 
ticate his food thoroughly. It is important that the amylopsis 
in the mouth should be complete. Many diseases come from 
bolting the food. Sometimes it is difficult to prevent bolting. 
Too concentrated food produces diseases of the stomach; too 
bulky food, diseases of the bowels. It is a recognized fact that 
wholly digestible food produces paralysis of the stomach. For 
this reason it is not a good plan to feed a horse on flour: the 
stomach requires the cellulose covering of the grain to irritate 
its glands. Nature provides this indigestible matter for an ir- 
ritating factor and consequently the stomach will not work on 
too concentrated food. If such is given, the germs present in 
the stomach take advantage of its inertia and set up a fermenta- 
tion which leads to gastric flatulence and possibly rupture. On 
this account some object to cooking the food, but this does no 
harm if plenty of indigestible stuff is given too. Suppose you 
scald the oats, this makes them easier to digest and also renders 
part of the cellulose digestible as well ; but you cannot feed the 
horse the rolled oats which people eat, for it is too concentrated. 



90 j THEORY AND PRACTICE 

Do not clip the oats for the horse, he needs the hull as an 
irritant. Clipped oats make work for the veterinarian. 

Barley, wheat or other heavy grain is too concentrated food 
— it has not enough indigestible cellulose The horse needs hay. 
Without it the stomach will not work. 

PHENOMENA OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 

The phenomena of Digestive Diseases are fewer than those 
of the respiratory system but these phenomena are well marked. 
They are as follows : 

1. Flatulence. 

2. Colicky pains. 

3. Turning up of the upper lip — expression 

of nausea. The horse stands still, sud- 
denly stops eating and then turns up 
his upper lip. The only exception to 
this being an evidence of nausea is 
in the case of a stallion teasing a 
mare. 

4. Constipation — pellets hard, small, 

scanty, or wholly absent. 

5. Diarrhoea. 

DISEASES OF THE MOUTH. 

CONGESTION OF THE BUCCAL MEMBRANE. 

Definition. — This condition is a congestion of the mucous lin- 
ing of the mouth. It occurs in young animals during teething. 
When a temporary tooth drops out and a permanent one comes 
in its place, this produces a circulatory disturbance. The buccal 
membrane may also become congested as the result of gastric in- 
digestion. 

"Lampas" is really an imaginary disease. It is nothing but 
the congestion of the bars of the mouth. The bars hang down 
usually on a level with the upper incisors, sometimes below in 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 91 

old horses. Disease of the bars never occurs except in punct- 
ure or injury. If a horse does not eat, a quack may be called to 
look into his mouth; he sees the bars projecting down, and as a 
bluff he says its the, "lampas." Or the horse falls into the hands 
of some horse-shoer, who says that the bars must be turned out. 
This is cruelty to animals. The bars in a horse's mouth are for 
the purpose of keeping the oats inside the mouth while being 
chewed. 

You cannot ignore the owner's diagnosis of "lampas." Take 
your knife and scarify the first bar about 1-3 of an inch deep. 
Then give the animal a mouth lotion, bicarbonae of soda, or borax 
and charge your client $2.00! If your client will permit you, 
examine the animal further to find the reason of his not eating. 

Dentition and indigestion are the two main causes of sore 
mouth. In children, puppies and pigs, convulsions may occur 
as a result of the nervous disturbance accompanying the rupture 
of a tooth. This can be relieved by scarifying the gum. 

Hemorrhage of the Palatine Artery. — The palatine artery is 
often wounded by empirics who try to scarify the bars in case of 
the so-called lampas. The tissues around the artery are Very 
firm and do not contract down upon it when wounded -as with 
other vessels. When such a condition falls into your hands, put 
on your overalls and gown, for the blood will spurt and pour out 
profusely. Take a tightly rolled wad of a substance like oak- 
um or cotton (about the size of a goose egg) ; dip the end of the 
wad in Munsen's solution of iron and apply it to the roof of the 
mouth. Holding up the upper lip, wind the oakum tightly to the 
incisor 6 or 8 times, and then leave it alone. It will be all right 
the next day. Give the owner a lotion to wash out this horse's 
mouth and charge him a good fee! 

Do not embarrass the horseshoer by running down his work 
before the owner. As far as possible protect the horseshoers. 



92 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

STOMATITIS. 

Stomatitis runs a course through three kinds of inflammation : 
(1) Catarrhal (2) Vesicular and (3) Pustular. Further we 
recognize two kinds, the contagious and non-contagious. 

Etiology. — The contagious form of stomatitis is produced by 
some specific germ, which as yet we do not know. The non- 
contagious is often due to indigestion; it sometimes occurs 
through local injuries and infection of wounds. Very fortu- 
nately for all animals the infection of the mouth wounds is not 
common. The wounds are common but their infection is not. 
The salivary wash of the mouth is one continual disinfectant; the 
saliva washes the germs away and bathes the wounds. 

Semeiology. — -We see stomatitis in foals and in calves from 
too much nursing. The foam at the side of the mouth of a lit- 
tle calf, when in excess, produces sore mouth. This is "baby's 
thrush." A little gastric indigestion may accentuate it. Acari 
may infect these sore places. The form seen in foals is the ca- 
tarrhal form. It will show itself in deep red patches, in which 
a bran-like scurf will form. This is coagulated mucous, a plastic 
exudate, and it soon gets fetid. The fetor is due to the degen- 
erated mucous. In a bad case these patches extend and coal- 
esce so that the whole lining of the cheek may be involved, even 
that of the lips and the frenum lingui. The roof is not often af- 
fected. The catarrhal form occurs later in the fall — the lips 
of the horse get chilled when he is grazing on the frozen grass 
in the late fall much worse than in winter. 

In the vesicular form of stomatitis the patches are covered 
with little vesicles. These vesicles are probably due to indiges- 
tion ; they are little cankers, coming up first as vesicles then dis- 
charging and ulcerating. The pustular form may follow the 
vesicular. 

The technical name of the pustular form of stomatitis has 
been given by Prof. Williams as Stomatitis pustulosa contagiosa. 
It has an incubation of about 3 days. It will likely show as a 
profuse eruption on the lower lip, sometimes extending around 
on the outside of the lips even to the outside of the cheeks, down 
the shoulders, breast to the hoofs. The specific germ has 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 93 

never been found. The course and termination are the same as 
equine variola, which in my opinion is the same disease. Horse 
pox is very contagious to other animals and to people. Never 
give a horse a ball without examining his mouth for contagious 
stomatitis. If the saliva from such a case drys on your hands, 
they will become inoculated with infection. If this does occur, 
soak the hands in a 5 per cent solution of formaldehyde. 

Treatment. — In the non-contagious form the first thing to do 
is to remove the cause. Change the diet of the animal if neces- 
sary. If the disease occurs in a nursing animal, do not let him 
nurse continually. Separate him from his mother. Wash the 
udder and teats with borax and also the mouth of the foal. In 
adult horses nothing is better than borax. 

As to the contagious form isolate the animal. It is no use 
to take him out of the stall, you must isolate the stall. If the 
partitions are board, they are all right, but if wire, board ones 
must be put up. Put ropes or chains behind the horse to keep 
him in. However, he can be used in single harness if he is not 
tied to a post or watered at a public watering trough. If his 
bit is used for other horses it must be disinfected. The inflam- 
mation must run its course but chlorate of potash, a saturated 
solution, will help. 

GLOSSITIS. 

Definition. — This is an inflammation of the muscle substance 
of the tongue. It is usually due to local injury. It may be pro- 
duced by scalding doses. A puncture produces an inflammation 
of the ultimate lingual structure, but the scalding dose produces 
also a catarrhal inflammation of the mucosa. 

Cause. — The cause is invariably due to local injury. In cat- 
tle it may take on the form of actinomycosis, tuberculosis, etc. 
The horse is not often affected with actinomycosis and tubercu- 
losis is rare. 

In glossitis the tongue swells and protrudes between the in- 
cisor teeth. The mouth hangs open and the tongue hangs out. 
Deglutition is difficult ; the horse is unable to eat and he may be 
unable to drink. Constitutional disturbances may occur. 



94 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

Treatment. — Ascertain the cause and remove any foreign body. 
If a puncture is present, follow it to the bottom with a probe-point- 
ed bistury and enlarge the opening. Irrigate well with an anti- 
septic; if a large wound, bathe with an antiseptic solution. Use 
water as warm as the horse can stand, carbolized 1 per cent or a 
10 per cent solution of boracic acid or a saturated solution of 
chlorate of potash. If the swelling does not yield promptly, scar- 
ify the tongue on the side an inch long and 1-4 inch deep. Bathe 
the tongue with water 102-3 degrees F. to promote bleeding and 
then go on using the antisepic soluion. If the mouth gets foul, 
sponge out twice daily with permanganate of potash. 

If the tongue is injured by getting caught in a halter chain, and 
is torn, say three-fourths off, amputate the balance. You cannot 
get union between incised or lacerated surfaces in the mouth. In 
examining a horse for soundness, always examine the tongue. A 
horse with a short tongue is damaged and he cannot feed so well. 

PAROTIDITIS. 

Parotiditis is the inflammation of the parotid gland. It is 
usually acute and it usually goes on to suppuration, forming one 
large abscess or two or more small ones. The cause may be 
influenza or strangles, or .some other blood contamination. It 
may be due to local injury. In my experience the disease oc- 
curs without any ascertainable cause. 

Symptoms. — The parotid gland swells and is very sore; the 
nose is poked out ; deglutition is difficult ; neck stiff ; and it is 
hard for the animal to eat. The abscess is likely to be deep- 
seated, and will take a long time to rupture spontaneously. Con- 
sequently we do not wait but open it up. Small superficial ab- 
scesses may rupture of their own accord. 

Treatment. — Hot poultices are easier than applications of hot 
water. If you set a man to bathing a part with hot water, he 
is inclined to get tired and stop before he has accomplished any 
good results. A hot linseed poultice will soften the abscesses 
and about the fifth day it can be opened and the pus let out. 
Into the cavity inject an antiseptic solution, then insert a little 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 95 

pledget of cotton and poultice some more to finish up the sup- 
puration. If a poultice is properly made with boiling water, it 
must be pretty nearly sterile. You never get any infection from 
a poultice. 

Usually the salivary discharge from the gland is increased and 
a salivary fistula will follow. This discharge is clear and odor- 
less. Insert a probe-pointed bistury into the fistula, enlarge the 
opening of Steno's duct slightly — to about 1-4 inch in diameter 
— and inject tincture of iodine full strength. A single dose ought 
to cure. If not, repeat about once in every ten days. 



PTYALISM. 

Ptyalism is an increased flow of saliva. This cannot be 
considered a disease but is a symptom of some other trouble. 
Ptyalism accompanies many diseases, such as sore throat, te- 
tanus, sore mouth, etc. As a rule it may be said that any in- 
flammation near the salivary gland will increase the secretion of 
saliva. 

Treatment. — The most effectual treatment is to remove the 
cause. When the horse slobbers too freely while in harness or 
while eating, there is something wrong with his mouth — either 
the bit irritates him and causes soreness or his teeth are too 
sharp and the bit pulls against the sharp corners of the upper 
molars. It is not at all uncommon for a horse to foam at the 
mouth a good deal while driving. This, of course, is disagree- 
able and looks bad. When the veterinarian is consulted he nat- 
urally expects to find something wrong with the mouth. We 
usually find that the bar and curb bit (the usual bit for coach 
horses in order to give them proud carriage) does not fit the 
mouth or jaw ; and for the very purpose to make the horse 
prance and make him showy, the coachman has the lines buckled 
down in the curb and touches him up with the whip. Occa- 
sionally the horse gets crazy, especially a young horse, under 
such irritating conditions. The horse pulls hard on the bit, 
and the bar bit with the chain underneath is brought back against 
the sharp edge, it cuts through the tissues, and injures the bone, 



96 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



The contused bone dies and sloughs off. This condition makes 
a very sore mouth, therefore always watch for the cause. 

The horse that slobbers too freely while eating cannot be 
cured unless you can find some mechanical cause, as the sharp 
molars. If you do, round them off, especially the front molars 
where the bit pulls against them. It may be necessary to 
change the bit for a time ; get a bit that will bring pressure on 
the sides of the bone instead of on the bar. Recommend a chain 
bit covered with leather or rubber. A straight bar bit is an 
abomination in a horse's mouth, such a bit should never* be 
made. 

SALIVARY FISTULA. 

The duct of Steno carries the saliva from the parotid glands 
to the mouth, passing down on the inside of the lower jaw. In 
a fistula this duct becomes patulous — it is difficult to say ex- 
actly what does open it, but it is so exposed to injury by blows 
of various kinds — from kicks, from rubbing on the manger, 
etc., that it is probably opened in this way. 

Treatment. — Establish an opening between the fistula and the 
mouth through the natural passage. To do this pass a stiff 
silver-plated probe, a small one first to establish the opening 
into the mouth, then use a larger one. By increasing the size 
of the probe in the course of four or five days you will be able 
to pass a sound which is at least a quarter of an inch in diameter. 
Then put a speculum into the mouth, but do not open too wide ; 
pass the hand into the mouth with the front of the hand against 
the cheek and feel the probe as it comes up. Bend it. 

Suppose the accident came from the kick of another horse on 
the cheek. The main damage, was a bruise on the jaw boric. 
This resulted in inflammation, exudation, organization and final- 
ly complete obliteration of the duct. This is frequently the 
case. We find that the organized lymph is not as the wall of 
the tube and with pressure you can work an opening through into 
the mouth, a small one anyway. Take a brass or silver probe 
and run a piece of tape through the eye of it, drawing it into 
the month from the outside. Leave it there three days, then 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 97 

remove it and syringe it out. Clean the outer surface round 
the opening, scarify the edges of the fistula freely and trim it 
out to make a raw edge. Put a string around it and draw it up 
like a draw-string, using a solution of collodion to wash it. Do 
not give the horse anything to eat; tie his head up for about 
three days and give him plenty of water. This raises to the 
maximum the secretion of saliva. After three days give him a 
little fine hay, letting him eat it off the floor. While he is eat- 
ing the saliva will run out through the mouth. If this treat- 
ment does not succeed, then put on a fly blister. This stimu- 
lation will produce a local inflammation and increase the repair- 
ing process. Repeat if not successful the first time. Some sur- 
geons recommend to destroy the parotid gland in bad cases, but 
this cannot be condemned too strongly. It is very painful and 
produces very unsatisfactory results. 

SALIVARY CALCULI. 

Salivary calculi are calcareous concretions which are found 
usually in the duct of Steno on the broad side of the cheek about 
opposite the lower molars. Probably every calculus has a nucle- 
us, some foreign body which has worked itself into the duct of 
Steno through the mouth. It may be a little piece of barley or 
a wheat beard, hull of oats, buckwheat, etc. If this happens it 
seems never to get out and produces a little local irritation, enough 
to change the character of the secretion in the duct. The salivary 
salts accummulate around and on the body and finally the calcu- 
lus is formed. These calculi are heavier than those of any other 
part of the body. Their increased density is due to increased 
phosphate of lime. Also they are slow-forming calculi. They 
often obstruct the duct to a considerable degree and the part of it 
nearest the gland becomes distended. 

Treatment. — Remove the calculus by the aid of the knife, 
always operating through the mouth, never through the skin. 
Probably no after-treatment will be required. Sponge the wound 
three or four times a day with a solution of borax and impress 
upon the owner that it is a serious case; it is, however, a simple 
one! 



98 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

DISEASES OF THE THROAT. 

PHARYNGITIS. 

Pharyngitis is an acute inflammation of the pharynx. It is 
a catarrhal inflammation. Many cases of sore throat are cases 
of pharyngitis. Usually a combination of laryngitis exists with 
the pharyngeal inflammation, but both may exist alone. 

Etiology. — Pharyngitis may come on with sudden exposure to 
cold and dampness. It may be caused by foreign bodies, acrid 
substances in the food or medicine, etc. Sometimes the inflam- 
mation is so severe as to produce a post-pharyngeal abscess. 

Semeiology. — The symptoms run as follows : 

1. Difficult swallowing. 

2. Possibly a little fever. 

3. Respirations normal. 

The symptoms in pharyngitis are much the same as those of 
laryngopharyngitis. 

Treatment. — In this condition counter-irritation is indicated. 
Give antiseptic medicine, anodine or stringent medicine with a 
syringe. Either give an electuary or give the medicine on wooden 
spatula or use a syringe. Never drench a horse in case of pharyn- 
gitis. The iron gargle is good. It consists of tincture of iron one 
ounce and chlorate of potash y 2 ounce to the pint of water. The 
dose is 2 ounces. 

DISEASES OF THE OESOPHAGUS. 

OESOPHAGITIS. 

Oesophagitis in the inflammation of the oesophagus. 

Etiology. — This condition is caused by an extension of inflam- 
mation from other parts; by the scalding of the mucosa with 
caustic drenches ; by eternal injury, kicks, etc. 

Semeiology. — The symptoms may show a rise of temperature ; 
difficulty in swallowing is present. 

Treatment. — In an ordinary simple case if you remove the 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 99 

cause, the animal will recover. Give a little antiseptic medicine. 
A solution of borax, carbonate of potash, a mild dose of per- 
manganate of potash, etc., are good antiseptics. 

Sequelae. — Stricture of the oesophagus may follow its inflam- 
mation. The result is a thickening of the wall with a lessen- 
ing of the lumen, which in bad cases may amount to stenosis. 
The wall may be thickened 3-5 times and the lumen not more 
than y 2 inch in diameter. The animal cannot swallow. Even 
if the lumen is an inch in diameter, the food will go down 
with difficulty, although water may be swallowed easily. The 
food accumulates above the stricture and this occasions frequent 
choking. 

Treatment. — Sloppy food or milk is indicated. Take away 
the solid food. The stricture and dilatation are incurable, and 
they occur oftener than we imagine. Stricture is common in 
children which are inclined to eat everything that they see. 

In case of oesophagitis from local injury, there is more or less 
enlargement on the outside tissues and this causes choke. If 
the tissues of the oesophageal wall are not destroyed, the case 
will recover. Injuries from a kick may press the oesophagus 
against the vertebrae and actually destroy the tissues of the wall 
without even wounding the overlaying skin. Eventually an ellip- 
tical slough may occur ; the surrounding tissues swell and become 
doughy. Open up the tissues over the wound and if such is the 
case, destroy the animal. But if the wall of the oesophagus is 
only wounded, sew up the lacerated edges, turning them in to- 
ward the lumen of the oesophagus. If they are left out, they will 
form adhesions. Openings into the oesophagus are usually fatal. 
Following the operation, keep the animal's head up for a time 
and feed him on milk and water. 



OESOPHAGISMUS. 

Oesophagismus is a spasmodic condition of the oesophagus. 
It is a functional condition purely nervous. You can see the 
effects, but you cannot foresee the condition. Usually the spasms 
subside after a few days. 



100 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

It is caused by something being swallowed that irritates the 
nerves, and produces spasmodic contraction upon the bolus. In 
view of this never give a dry ball, always wet it. 

In order to remove the obstruction put the fingers at the bot- 
tom below it and move it up towards the mouth. If the obstruc- 
tion will not dislodge, you may have a case of choke. 

Sometimes coachmen get the idea that raw eggs will make the 
horse's coat glossy. They even send them down whole, shell and 
all. This frequently causes choke. Oesophagismus is a symptom 
of choke. But if the cause of the irritation is in the thorax, there 
will be little eating and then vomition. The food may be streaked 
with blood. 

Treatment. — Give a liberal dose of morphine. This blunts 
the nerves. When the animal is thoroughly under the influence 
of the drug, then give two or three doses of cottonseed oil. If 
the oesophagus does not relax, the animal will regurgitate the 
contents of the oesophagus. Then pass a probe and push the 
obstruction on into the stomach. Do not wait until the inflam- 
mation starts up before doing this. 

CHOKING. 

Definition. — Choking is obstructed deglutition by the inter- 
rupted passage of any substance from the mouth to the stomach. 
The regions of choke are divided into three sections, cervical, 
thoracic and cardiac. 

Etiology. — Horses may choke on dry feedings. They are 
ravenous eaters — they bolt their food without proper insaliva- 
tion. Cows usually choke on pieces of apples, potatoes, carrots, 
sections of turnips, etc. If the cutter is out of order, the food 
will be imperfectly cut up and the large pieces will cause choke. 
Cows will choke on apples which they have picked up from the 
ground. Cows which are giving milk are inclined to chew bones 
— I have known them to chew up a whole washing and get 
choked ! Dogs usually choke on spools, needles, hatpins, etc. Cats 
the same. Sheep and pigs seldom choke — they are not so raven- 
ous. Poultry fed once a day and then given meal will eat too 
fast and choke. Horses occasionally choke on solid substances. 



of Veterinary medicine; iOl 

Semeiologyr — The horse quits eating and makes spasmodic 
but ineffectual efforts to swallow. He becomes restless, moves 
back and forth; has an anxious countenance, etc. Nothing can 
produce more excitement than a choke. In course of a few hours 
the obstructed oesophagus produces nausea — animal will stretch 
and he gets spasmodic cramps of the cervical and pectoral mus- 
cles. They draw their heads toward the knees. This is seen 
also in gastric indigestion. It is simply a diagnostic symptom 
of nausea, and may be so severe as to cause the horse to shriek 
with pain. 

If the choke is a cervical one, there will be an enlargement 
about the first rib. In dogs, cats and chickens the choke is cer- 
vical ; in cattle the choke is thoracic ; in the horse and in cattle the 
choke may be at the cardiac opening. The symptoms of thora- 
cic choke are much the same as in the cervical but the nausea is 
more marked. The horse fills up his oesophagus to the obstruc- 
tion and then throws out the food again. He throws it out 
through the nose. This is an act of vomition and there is also 
reverse peristalsis. In cardiac choke the obstruction cannot be 
seen until the oesophagus becomes filled, and then the obstruc- 
tion is seen in the cervical region. 

In cattle any choke leads to tympanitis of the rumen. There 
is great slabbering of the mouth, present in all animals, however. 
Dogs, cats and people have violent fits of coughing, but not the 
horse. If the choke is not removed, it acts as an irritant and pro- 
duces inflammation running through the first and second courses 
and terminates in gangrene. The animal dies from septicaemia. 

As regards the horse the conditions producing choke are as 
follows : 

1. Oesophagismus. 

2. Oesophagitis — especially a factor 

when the inflammation runs to ulcera- 
tion. 

3. Organic diseases of the gullet in the 

form of a stricture, frequently follow- 
ing oesophagitis. 

4. Diseases of the salivary glands, by 

which the quantity of saliva is dimin- 



102 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



ished. It is impossible for the food 
to go down the oesophagus without 
being thoroughly insalivated. 
5. Voracious appetite — the horse bolts his 
food and it enters the oesophagus dry. 
Deranged or decayed teeth interfere 
with mastication. 
Treatment. — The first thing to do is to give a hypodermic in- 
jection of morphine — 4-10 grains. As a rule it is impossible to 
move obstructions downward, but they can be moved upward. 
Give an internal dose of cotton seed oil (about 2 ounces) with a 
syringe. Then manipulate the obstruction rubbing toward the 
throat. The animal will throw out the oil, and then give another 
dose and repeat. You can put a hose through the nose of the 
horse and turn the water on thus washing out the obstruction at 
times. 

Cattle usually choke in the cardiac region. The proper thing 
to do is to place a* speculum in the mouth (in case the choke is 
in the cervical region) and let some one press upwards beneath 
the obstruction, while a small hand goes in and gets it. Or a 
probe can be passed and push it down into the stomach. In case 
of a thoracic choke you can cut in and remove the obstruction 
but the operation is usually fatal. 

In severe cases of tympanitis accompanying choke in cattle 
you may have to tap. 

In choke in dogs and cats, hold the mouth open and go after 
the obstruction with a pair of forceps. 

In the chicken give them a dish of water and they will help 
themselves. 

ORGANIC DISEASES OF THE OESOPHAGUS. 



An organic disease of the oesophagus is the change in struct- 
ure of the wall caused by a stricture. The causes of a stricture 
are: 

1. Irritation. 

2. Congestion. 

3. Inflammation. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 103 

4. Organization. 

These changes occuring in the wall lessens its tube lumen, 
thickens the wall, and destroys its dilatibility. Immediately an- 
terior to the stricture there will be a dilatation ; the older the 
case the larger this will be. In connection with the stricture is 
more or less degeneration of tissue. 

Symptoms. — These are frequent choking, slow deglutition, 
contents of the dilatation frequently thrown out and occasionally 
streaked with blood. 

Prognosis. — The prognosis is unfavorable because you can- 
not dilate the stricture nor reduce the dilatation. The ultimate 
end is oesophagitis with a choke -thaj: cannot be romoved. 

Treatment. — Drench the animal with small doses of kind 
that will tend to cure the inflammation — saturated solution of 
borax, chlorate of potash or sodium bicarbonate. These should 
be given several times a day. Give the animal sloppy food and 
compel him to eat slowly. 

In order to make a horse eat slowly put stones in his feed, 
and these will hinder him from getting his food so fast. If 
this fails there are patent boxes which can be used for this 
purpose. 

DISEASES OF THE STOMACH. 

VOMITION. 

Vomition is called emesis or vomiting. The emetic center is 
in the medulla. Something disturbs this center, and the re- 
flex action of the disturbance is transmitted to the stomach. The 
symptoms of vomiting are : 

1. Depression. 

2. Turning up of the upper lip. 

3. Abhorrence of food. The nausea in- 

creases until we get a reflex peris- 
talsis of the stomach, duodenum and 
intestines. 
The act of vomiting is as follows : 



104 j THEORY AND PRACTICE 

1. Deep inspiration. 

2. Glottis fixed. 

3. Spasmodic forcible contraction of the 

abdominal muscles. 

4. Food thrown out through the nose. 

5. Mouth in all animals except the horse 

open wide. 

The stomach cannot empty itself without the aid of the 
abdominal muscles. 

Horses do not vomit except under peculiar conditions ; carn- 
ivora vomit easily; omnivora comparatively so; and herbivora 
with great difficulty. Cattle do not vomit because the rumen is 
large and comparatively insensible. As a whole the ox is phleg- 
matic. Horses vomit with difficulty on account of the shape of 
their stomach. At the oesophageal entrance there is a fold of 
mucous membrane which acts as a valve and serves to keep the 
food from going back toward the mouth. Except in case ot a 
distended stomach vomition cannot occur. It is usually accom- 
panied with gas. There are four conditions under which a horse 
vomits : 

1. Stomach distended with gas and food 

mostly liquid. 

2. Organic disease of the oesophagus with 

a dilatation of the cardiac opening. 

3. Rupture either partial or complete of 

the walls of the stomach. The rupt- 
ure must be 2-4 inches long; if it is 
very long, the horse cannot vomit. 

4. Closure of the pyloric orifice which pre- 

vents the food from passing out into 
the duodenum. 
In case of distention the greater curvature will be the most 
distended and rupture will occur here. 

INDIGESTION. 

Indigestion occurs in all animals. It is a functional disturb- 
ance. It is named gastric or intestinal according to its location. 
The gastric form occurs in three degrees of severity: 






OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 105 

1. Acute. 

2. Subacute. 

3. Chronic. 

Under the head of acute indigestion we have two or three 
different conditions: 

1. Engorgement of the stomach. 

2. Stomach staggers. 

3. Gastric flatulence. 

Acute gastric indigestion usually comes on suddenly. It is 
always a serious affection, often producing death either by (1) 
exhaustion or collapse, (2) asphyxia, (3) rupture of the stom- 
ach, or (4) gastritis. 

Etiology. — The chief causes are overloading the stomach, 
eating too fast, insufficient mastication, insalivation, eating when 
physically exhausted, and improper food, especially that not 
assimilable by the animal. The insalivation is very important 
because it produces amylopsin. Eating when physically ex- 
hausted is probably the main cause of indigestion — the horse 
will eat too fast and the stomach, being depressed, will not act. 
Do not give a tired horse oats. Let him eat hay for a half hour 
and then give him the oats. Too much bulk (if very indigestible 
or too concentrated) will cause gastric flatulence. 

Symptoms. — Suppose we have a case of gastric flatulence 
from bolting the food. The following are the symptoms : 

1. Restlessness — the horse lies down, gets 

up soon, turns around; the worse he 
gets, the shorter time he lies down. 
When tympanitis is present, he can- 
not lie down. 

2. Mild colicky pains. 

3. Animal looks around, most often to the 

left. 

4. Trunk more or less disturbed. Flanks 

fuller than normal, but not tympanitic. 
The distension is more under the ribs. 
In intestinal flatulence the disten-. 
sion is more under in the flanks. 

5. Horse sweats at times. 



106 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

6. Eructations — positive evidence of gas- 

tric flatulence. It is accompanied by 
more or less sound, which may be so 
slight that you cannot hear it without 
putting the ear to the neck. These 
eructations give the animal great re- 
lief, but all cases do not eructate. 

7. Nausea — retching and painful vomition, 

especially in the horse. As a symp- 
tom of the retching we get a spas- 
modic contraction of the muscles of 
the neck and breast the same as in 
choke. Retching is a painful effort 
to vomit without succeeding. 

8. Rapidly developing nervous prostration. 

9. Rapid breathing. 

10. Expired cold air. 

11. Nostrils dilated. 

12. Mucous membranes cyanotic. 

13. Pulse rapid, small, weak and hard. 

In a mild case that recovers the fermentation will let up and 
stop. In fatal cases the horse most commonly dies from syn- 
cope: — a result of the great nervous prostration, which is pro- 
duced largely by the pressure upon the diaphragm, and the ani- 
mal finally dies from collapse. Death occurs usually from 10-30 
hours. The next most common cause of death is asphyxia. The 
tympanitis is so great and the gas cannot escape because of the 
cardiac fold of the stomach or of the pyloric end folding upon 
the duodenum. In such a case the pressure upon the diaphragm 
is so severe that it interferes with the action of the heart and 
the respiration. The animal may die in 20 minutes, usually, 
however, in one or two hours. The third cause of dtath may ot 
rupture of the stomach, which may take place in 4-5 hours. If 
the case runs on for 3-4 days, and the horse does not die from 
any of the Causes just mentioned, congestion and inflammation 
may result and the case turn into one of gastritis. Death from 
gastritis can occur in 4-6 days. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 107 

Great flatulence produces anaemia and prostration of the vaso- 
motor system, and as the flatulence subsides, the atonic blood 
vessels fill with blood and become congested. Then inflammation 
follows. 

14. The appetite is suspended. 

15. Temperature not so much affected until 

gastritis sets in. During flatulence 
there may be an elevation of tem- 
perature. 
Treatment. — This must be directed toward the arrest of the 
fermentation, which is always present. The cases are always 
urgent. Give drugs that will arrest the fermentation without 
producing more gas. The acid to be combated is acetic acid, 
not hydrochloric. Neutral salts are indicated, — hyposulphate of 
soda — the sulphate is most popular and very effectual. Others 
are sulphite of lime, magnesium sulphate. Such antiseptics as 
turpentine, boracic acid, salicylic acid, cresylic acid (natural acid 
of coal tar emulsion), etc., are good. Carbolic acid also. 
The contra-indications are these : 

1. The antacids. 

2. Carbonates and bicarbonates. 

If the carbonates are used in this condition, more gas is pro- 
duced by the chemical action of the combination of the drugs in 
the stomach, and therefore those who recommend them are 
wrong. On the other hand, the neutral salts tend to liquefy the 
gas already there. 

In every bad case of gastric flatulence it is a good plan to 
pass a stomach tube. This opens the cardiac orifice and gives 
relief. The antiseptics can be pumped through the tube and then 
drawn out again — this empties the stomach. Turpentine is usu- 
ally given in capsules, may be given with oil. If the mouth is 
dry, the pure turpentine will scald it. When mixing the tur- 
pentine with oil, use equal parts. Bear in mind the nervous pros- 
tration and give a stimulant, such as sulphuric ether, alcohol, 
capsicum, ginger, etc. In order to relieve the pain give an ano- 
dine — fluid extract cannabis indica, chloral hydrate, and sulphuric 
ether. Do not give opium, but a hypodermic of morphine, 4-5 
grains, can be given. 



108 Theory and practice 

When the horse is relieved, feed on very light sloppy food 
to avoid gastritis, for this is usually fatal in the horse. Find 
out the cause if possible, make him eat slower, file his teeth, give 
feeding of hay before the oats. 

ACUTE GASTRIC INDIGESTION. 

This condition is an impaction of the stomach, producing 
stupor; it .is ordinarily known as stomach staggers. In such 
a case the horse gets loose in the night and gets at the grain or 
bags of flour and loads his stomach with solid food. When the 
stomach becomes filled in this way, it becomes paralyzed. The 
horse is in a stupor, he hangs his head, droops his ears, partly 
closes his eyes, stands with his face against the wall, and in- 
clines his body forward. If the condition comes on when the 
horse is out doors, he will probably fall. This usually lasts sev- 
eral hours, or until fermentation of the mass in the stomach takes 
place, with evolution of gas. Then the animal wakes, bloats, 
and unless he gets prompt relief, will die. It then turns into 
gastric flatulence. 

Treatment. — The doctor will probably be called during the 
stage of stupor, as that is the main evidence to the owner that 
his animal is sick. Bear in mind that the horse is loaded with 
grain sufficient to kill him. Drench him carefully with quanti- 
ties of saturated solution of sodium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, 
or good liberal doses of turpentine. Give two ounces of turpen- 
tine every hour, until you have given two or three doses. A 
little renal congestion may follow so much turpentine, or polyuria, 
and possibly strangury, but these symptoms are harmless. The 
purpose of this treatment is to prevent fermentation and to dilute 
the contents of the stomach. After the danger is passed, give 
the horse a dose of aloes in solution. A case of this kind is al- 
ways serious and sometimes fatal. Prevent if possible fermenta- 
tion. Give liberal doses of antiferments, and then produce pur- 
gation. 

CHRONIC GASTRIC INDIGESTION. 

This corresponds to dyspepsia in the human. It is funda- 
mentally a derangement of the stomach in which digestion is im- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 109 

perfectly performed. It is not dangerous nor even serious but 
it takes a long time to cure. 

Etiology. — Chronic gastric indigestion is usually caused by : 

1. Errors in diet. 

2. Faulty gastric secretions. 

3. Abnormalities affecting the movements 

of the stomach. 

The errors in diet include irregular feeding, too long contin- 
uation of one kind of food, bad quality of food, like musty oats, 
over-ripe hay or moldy grain. 

Faulty secretions are usually seen in case of deficiency in se- 
cretion of the hyrochloric acid, or a deficiency of the gastric juice, 
in which case the quantity of pepsin will be diminished also. 

The abnormalities are the chronic thickening of a portion or 
portions of the stomach wall ; chronic thickening of the pylorus, or 
chronic dilatation of the cardiac orifice of the oesophagus. 

Semeiology. — The symptoms consist of the following: 

1. Capricious appetite — animal sometimes 

very hungry and at other times will 
not eat at all. 

2. Horse inclined to lick the wall for the 

lime, and other alkalies ; will eat dirt, 
especially clay, sometimes eats the 
bedding that has been urinated upon 
in preference to good hay. 

3. Occasional mild attacks of gastric flat- 

ulence, the only evidence of which 
are sour eruptions. 

4. Excessive thirst — quite common, ani- 

mal will drink a great deal of water, 
will try to empty the trough. 

5. Polyuria, a result of so much drinking. 

Often this is the symptom noticed by 
the owner which induces him to call 
the doctor. When he arrives, he is 
told that the horse is flooding the 
barn. The urine is clear, and there 
is much of it. 



110 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



6. Unthriftiness, staring coat, thinness of 

flesh, pot belly, debility, etc. Animal 
may become hide bound. 

7. Feces usually dry. 

8. Pulse, temperature and respirations 

unchanged. 

Treatment. — Give the animal a complete change of food if 
possible — grass in season, and change the hay from timothy to 
prairie. If this is not possible, use any mixed hay containing 
timothy, clover and red-top. Early cut timothy will do. Crush 
the grain for a change and add at least 25 per cent bran to the 
mass. Salt the feed with common salt. 

Give antacids and an occasional laxative such as a pint of raw 
linseed oil. The best antacid is bicarbonate of soda. For the 
digestive apparatus prescribe arsenic, gentian, mix vomica, gin- 
ger, charcoal, etc. The antacids have a peculiar physiological in- 
fluence upon the hydrochloric acid secretion of the stomach 
glands. 

If the flatulence occurs within two hours after eating, there 
is a deficiency of the hydrochloric acid, and in this case give the 
hydrochloric acid instead of the soda, or alternate the two. Do 
not give the two together. Alternate them for a week at a time. 
A dose of strong hydrochloric acid is about 7 drops of the pure 
acid (freely diluted). Make up a pint of water and a dram 
of the acid — add any other drug that you wish. 

If the flatulence occurs about five hours after eating, that 
is indicative of an excess of hydrochloric acid. In such a case 
give anticids four hours after eating. This will intercept the se- 
cretions of gastric juice and limit the quantity, or at any rate 
will prevent any injurious effects from the excess. If the 
horse has a fair appetite and will eat powders, give him ordinary 
white arsenic in his feed along with the antacid ; but if his ap- 
petite is poor, in addition to the mixture of the tinctures give 
him Fowler's solution. Calculate to give him arsenic three times 
a day and it should always be given after eating. Do not allow 
the arsenic to go into an empty stomach. Never put a strong 
solution into the mouth in concentrated form — small doses will 
produce poisonous results. Do not give Fowler's solution clear 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. Ill 

— it is too strong; it will arrest the appetite and loosen the bow- 
els. Dilute it freely. 

In cases of this kind you will have to make many changes in 
the hygiene usually. You will find, for instance, thit young 
stallions, between one and two years old, and older ones if they 
belong to the draft class, suffer from confinement. You will 
frequently find over acute or subacute chronic indigestion in 
stallions, especially in young ones. Often the main symptom 
noticed by the owner is the refusal of the animal to eat, and this 
induces the owner to call the doctor. For this lack of appetite 
give a mild purgative and follow it with antacids. Let the horse 
fast for two or three days. 

In older horses with this trouble always examine the teeth. 
You will find that deranged teeth are often the cause of indiges- 
tion. 

In case you have a young stallion to treat for indigestion, 
always prescribe exercise, the lack of which is one of the causes 
of his trouble. 

GASTRITIS. 

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach mucous mem- 
brane. This disease goes through the same course as any other 
inflammation. It frequently runs to the third stage of inflam- 
mation and may terminate in ulceration. It is not very common 
in horses but is common in dogs and cats. 

Etiology. — In the horse gastritis usually follows a long con- 
tinued course of gastric flatulence. It is sometimes caused by 
troumatism, by foreign bodies — by anything that can wound the 
mucous membrane. In this case infection often follows. The 
gastric mucous membrane is frequently involved in a general in- 
flammation along with a similar condition in the whole alimentary 
track, as seen in influenza. Poisons, such as caustic potash, any 
of the three vitriols (blue, white and green), arsenic (common 
form eaten is Paris green), etc., are some of the causes of gas- 
tritis. Others are mercury, lead, and vegetable poisons, such as 
the yew, rhododendron, etc. 

Semeiology. — The symptoms consist of colicky pains, not like 
those of colic but abdominal pains. The animal turns his head 



112 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

to one side, has a depressed and haggard appearance; he sweats 
more or less ; respirations quickened ; pulse rapid, hard and small, 
and gets more so as the disease progresses. There is complete 
anorexia. In the very acute cases the thirst is not increased, but 
in subacute cases the thirst is greatly increased. The saliva is 
usually ropy. There may be fecal eructations ; flanks tucked up ; 
purgations ; constipation. The animal dies in a stupor, and the 
form of death is syncope. 

In the dog the symptoms are as follows : vomiting — a dog will 
drink large quantities of water and will go right off and throw 
it up again, then come back and drink some more. This is one 
of the most prominent symptoms of gastritis in the early stages. 
Upon pressing the stomach, pain is indicated ; the dog lies flat 
on his chest. The other symptoms are much the same as in the 
horse. 

Post mortem. — The mucous membrane of the stomach will 
show inflammation. If caused by long continued gastric flatu- 
lence, the villus lining (near the pylorus) will be dark red and 
swollen. If the inflammation is caused by caustic poisons, there 
will be deep erosions. In some cases you will be puzzled to 
account for the death, the lesions not seeming sufficient. In 
case of lead poisoning the stomach at post should show redness 
without erosion — this poison produces general collapse. If the 
stomach has arsenic in it the mucous membranes will be dark. 

If death from poison is sudden, there will be no change in 
the fecal matter, i. e. in arsenic poisoning; but if the case is 
one of 24 hours standing, the fecal matter will be black; if 3-4 
days, there will be black diarrhoea. 

Treatment. — First ascertain the cause. If gastritis occurs 
from poisons give the proper antidote. If it occurs from a caus- 
tic, give oil — the oil and the alkali will form soap. Give moderate 
doses of the oil and then repeat. A pint of the oil would be 
sufficient. Repeat in half pint doses three times a day. Apply 
a mustard plaster over the belly. Give aconite, alcohol and an 
anodyne such as fluid extract canabis indica. Give a bland fluid 
to drink like linseed tea. If the thirst is intense, restrict the 
water supply — put a little bicarbonate of soda in the drinking 
water.^ As a special stimulant give subnitrate of bismuth, com- 






OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 113 

bine it with salol. During convalescence give lime water, fluid 
extract gentian, strychnine. 

As regards the poisons which cause gastritis, it is essential 
for a doctor to keep posted on the various antidotes. It is a 
good plan to carry a dose book in one's pocket all the time. 

CHRONIC GASTRITIS. 

Horses are affected occasionally with chronic gastritis. It 
does not. occur often, but when it does, it does not yield to treat- 
ment readily. It is associated with the following conditions: 

1. Continual errors in treatment. 

2. Frequent recurring fits of acute indiges- 

tion. 

3. Textural changes in the glandular tis- 

sues of the stomach wall, such as 
seen occasionally in heaves. The 
secretions are deficient in both quan- 
tity and quality. 

4. Cribbing and long-continued wind suck- 

ing. 

5. Diseases of the liver interfering with 

the secretion of the bile. 

6. Malignant disease of the stomach. 

7. Mechanical injury to the mucous mem- 

brane produced by bots. These 
hang to the mucous membrane with 
little hooklets, and if there are very 
many, they irritate the mucous lining. 
Semeiology. — The symptoms are long continued and not very 
expressive. A very capricious appetite will be present; greatly 
increased thirst; general unthrifty condition; pot belly, hide 
bound, long string coat, debility, etc. The termination may be 
favorable if the cause can be removed, but it may develop into 
the acute form at any time. 

Treatment. — Look at the molar teeth and attend to them if 
need be. Attend to the hygiene ; give antacids such as bicarbon- 
ate of soda, lime water, prepared chalk, subnitrate of bismuth, 
etc. Put them in the drinking water. A horse with this trouble 



114 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

will drink all that he can hold. Other drugs are gentian, ginger, 
nux vomica, tonic doses of quinine, arsenic, etc. 

RUPTURE OF THE STOMACH. 

Rupture of the stomach may be partial or complete. Remem- 
ber that the stomach wall consists of three coats, the outer lay- 
ers of non-striated muscle, covered with a serous coat, the peri- 
toneum, and an inner mucous coat which lines the stomach. In 
partial rupture the serous coat gives away first, then the mucous. 
Etiology. — Rupture may occur in gastric flatulence, repeated 
attacks of which will terminate in rupture. The rupture will 
probably occur in a much milder attack of the flatulence than 
perhaps first occurred ; every attack of flatulence weakens the 
stomach wall. In posting a case of rupture, the tear may be a 
foot long — this probably took place when the horse fell. That 
which occurs in case of distension is usually 2-4 inches long. 
And the post will reveal something about the time of the rupture ; 
if it has taken place 6-8 hours before death, the edges of the 
laceration will show congestion; if the tear took place when the 
animal fell, the edges will not be congested. 

Semeiology. — The symptoms of rupture are not diagnostic. 
Never state the diagnosis positively, to be contradicted afterward 
by a post. The following symptoms are usually confirmed by 
post mortem in case of rupture but they are present in other 
diseases too : 

1. Vomition is a usual symptom. There 
is not necessarily an actual expulsion 
of food and injecta, but there may 
be retching. In some cases there will 
be no vomiting at all. In rupture 
of the diaphragm and in gut-tie we get 
vomition also. Horses have vomited 
2-10 hours after rupture as proven by 
the congestion and in some cases in- 
flammation of the edges of the rupt- 
ure. We may find an extensive peri- 
tonitis in case of rupture, this show- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 115 

ing that time may elapse and the ani- 
mal live after the rupture has taken 
place. The peritoneum may show 
exudation as the result of the contact 
with the injecta from the stomach. 

2. Great nervous prostration. 

3. Increase in frequency and decrease in 

size and strength of the pulse. 

4. Sweating in patches. ■ 

5. Anxious countenance. 

6. Animal lies down and then rises up on 

his forward feet, sitting on his 
haunches like a dog. 

7. Hurried respiration. 

8. Mucous membranes cyanotic — the cyan- 

osis is due to the nervous prostra- 
tion, which lessens the heart's action 
and thus induces the cyanosis. 
As death approaches, the ears, extremities and nose get cold; 
the perspiration is cold ; there is trembling of the muscles, more 
particularly the caput muscles. Death may take place anywhere 
from ^2-20 hours. In the majority of cases it occurs in 2-6 hours. 
The nervous prostration and death from syncope may occur at 
any time. A sensitive nervous system will collapse quickly from 
an attack of rupture and the animal will die in half an hour, 
while a phlegmatic temperament will not show so quick a re- 
action. One case is recorded as living 50 hours after rupture. 

The symptoms after the rupture has taken place are as fol- 
lows : 

1. Pain ceases. 

2. Tympanitis ceases. 

3. Sudden cessation of the flatulence. 

In a case where rupture occurs say 18 inches long without 
any congestion of the lacerated edges, we must conclude that the 
rupture took place when he fell, and that he died from asphyxia. 
In such a case you could not say that the rupture killed him, it 
was the dropping. On the other hand if you find a partial rupture 



116 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

and the mucosa bulging outside the wall, then the rupture causes 
the death. 

Treatment. — To begin with all cases of rupture are fatal — 
whether the rupture is partial or complete. But seeing that the 
symptoms of rupture are not very diagnostic, the doctor must 
continue the case right up to the end. Treat the case for acute 
gastric indigestion. 

Occasionally at post mortem, holes will be found in the wall 
of the stomach, varying from the size of a dime to a dollar. A 
horse dying in the city which recently has come in from the 
country will always have bots. To these some attribute the 
cause of the holes, and it is also common to refer the cause of 
colic to bots — men say that the horse has the "bots." This is 
wrong; the bots are not the cause of colic, or of the perforated 
condition of the stomach as found post mortem. The bots may 
cause gastritis by irritating the stomach mucosa or they may 
become so numerous as to make an obstruction, the only two 
conditions in which they can be responsible for any lesion. The 
real cause of the holes in the stomach is this : They occur in a 
degenerated condition of the wall. In such a case the animal 
has probably been in a clover patch where in half an hour he 
can eat enough clover to blow himself up like a balloon! He 
dies, and if the post mortem is delayed 4 or 5 hours, the stomach 
will degenerate, and the warm weather will only aggravate the 
condition. The abundance of the gastric juice which was stim- 
ulated by the clover digests the stomach wall in patches. This 
is known as post mortem congestion. 



CONSTIPATION. 

Definition. — Constipation is a condition of the bowels in which 
the feces are unnaturally retained, or if rejected, are scanty, hard 
and dry. It is not usually a serious matter, but it occasionally 
leads to death through after developments. The large intestine 
is the part involved ; constipation usually occurs in the floating 
colon or rectum. 

Etiology. — The casual factors are three ; 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 117 

1. Feeding on bulky, innutritious food with 

too little water. 

2. Defective peristalsis, amounting in some 

cases to paralysis of the large bowel. 

3. Deficient secretion of the succus en- 

tericus. Intestinal obstructions may 
cause constipation. 
Pathogenesis. — In regard to the first cause, bulky food will 
not cause constipation if the horse gets plenty of water; defi- 
ciency of wafer, however, will of itself cause constipation whether 
the food is bulky or not. But suppose the horses are wintering 
in the barnyard on straw, and have to go a long way to get 
water. If the weather is cold, they will not go so often, and fur- 
thermore they will not drink much when they do go. This causes 
constipation. Or it may be mid-summer when the grass is dry 
and short. The animals have to go into the bottoms to get the 
grass and the streams are dried up. They get bulky, innutritious, 
dry hay and little water. These are two conditions to cause 
constipation. 

In cases of constipation from the second cause, we shall find 
that the horses are over-fed, perhaps kept for a long time on one 
kind of feed. As a result the secretions are defective, the nerv- 
ous system is tired, and this fatigue reacts causing paralysis of 
the bowels. The third cause, a deficient secretion of the succus 
entericus, is a peculiar condition, and may be due to inactivity of 
the glands, or to excessve absorption of the fluids of the bowel. 

Semeiology. — The symptoms of constipation depend upon the 
cause. In case the first cause is operating to produce the disease, 
there will be a general unthrifty condition. The horse will be 
thin, more or less hide-bound, his coat will be long and staring 
and the feces scanty and dry. If the constipation is caused by 
the second factor, the pellets will be small, hard and dry, some- 
times dropping on the floor like marbles. In both these cases the 
feces usually pass with some straining on the part of the animal ; 
he may be unable to have a passage at all. If the third cause 
is the factor producing the constitution, we shall get inactivity of 
the bowels due to nervous depression, which, in many cases, 
means paralysis of the colon. In the morning you may find an 



118 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



absence of fecal matter, the horse perhaps will not eat his break- 
fast, and is inclined to lie down a good deal. If you drive him 
out, he will paw, and if loose in the box stall he will turn around 
and lie down again. This condition continues, gradually growing 
worse in the way of pawing more, getting up and down at shorter 
intervals, switching the tail, etc. At the end of the third day 
or the beginning of the third, the temperature rises. It may be 
102°, and the pulse is increased in frequency about 50. By the 
end of the third day the temperature will be 103°, pulse 55 ; fourth 
day, temperature 105°, pulse 60 and getting small and hard. By 
the morning of the fifth day the animal is in bad condition, — tem- 
perature 105° or more, pulse 60 to 70, respirations 25 or 30, hag- 
gard countenance, injected mucous membrane, etc. He begins to 
tramp, — to walk round and round the stall. If he does not get 
relief before night, he will die from enteritis. 

If the constipation is caused by a defective peristalsis, the 
rectum is apt to be everted to the extent of two or three inches. 
This is caused by straining. The everted rectum is very dark 
red, and if it stays out very long it becomes nearly purple. 

In constipation from the first two causes 5-15 days may elapse 
before enteritis develops, but in all cases, if the horse is not re- 
lieved, the enteritis will eventually kill him. 

When a foal cannot have its first passage on account of the 
dryness of the meconium, you will find that the mare has been 
worked too hard and kept on dry feed so that there is not 
enough water in her system and the young foal partook of the 
same dryness from which the mother suffered. If the mother 
is kept on soft feed for a month before the birth, this is not 
likely to occur. In case the foal does not have a passage by the 
end of 10-12 hours, he must be relieved. 

If the constipation is due to the third cause, the contents of 
the bowel in this case are not hard and dry; there is no impac- 
tion nor disturbance, simply paralysis of the bowel. The normal 
motion of the fecal matter has ceased, and the contents are lying 
persistently in one place. This acts as an irritant but not enough 
to stimulate the bowel to functional activity, enough, however, to 
produce congestion and eventually inflammation. The paralysis 
of the bowel is probably caused by too long continuation of one 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 119 

kind of food; the bowel gets tired, and this tired feeling may be 
due to a loss of irritability by the peripheral terminations of the 
sympathetic nerves, which supply the bowel with motor power. 
Treatment. — Naturally constipation would indicate the use of 
a purgative, but much judgment needs to be used in treating a 
case of this kind. As a rule, the drastic purgatives are contra- 
indicated. The oleaginous, lubricating purgatives are better. 
Consequently we give raw linseed oil instead of aloes, sulphate of 
magnesia, or sulphate of soda. Sometimes these saline laxatives 
work fairly well when the case is due to the second cause, but 
otherwise they are not useful in equine practice. The linseed oil 
stimulates the bowel sufficiently and it also lubricates it. It can 
be repeated with safety, but not so with the other purgatives. In 
cases of severe constipation, aloes will not work; if you repeat the 
dose even after a reasonable length of time, and the bowels do 
finally get started, super-purgation and death will probably fol- 
low. In addition to the oil, the horse needs a stimulant, which 
in this case should be strychnine. I think that strychnine in con- 
stipation is indispensable; it will do more to cure the trouble than 
any other drug. You can use other stimulants right along, too, 
such as ginger, capsicum, and carbonate of ammonia. Further, 
give enemata (soap and water) ; these are indispensable, too. 
They should be warm, about 100 degrees. 

As a rule, in treating constipation, anodynes are necessary 
until the case gets along into a late stage, when the pain may be 
so severe as to require an anodyne on humane principles. We 
are inclined to think that they tend to decrease peristalsis, which 
you want to increase, and therefore they must be such as will not 
interfere with the very thing you are trying to bring about. 
Chloral hydrate and chloroform can be given. 

To an average sized horse we usually give a quart of linseed 
oil. Combine with this an ounce of fluid extract of nux vom- 
ica and a dram of the fluid extract of ginger, or half a dram of 
fluid extract of capsicum. In giving a soap and water rectal in- 
jection, do this by gravitation. You can use a pump, but gravi- 
tation is better. Hang a bucket on the wall and let the solution 
run in through a hose, which should be inserted in the rectum 
anywhere from 2-6 feet. In this way more can be introduced 



120 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

than with the pump. The pump forces the water in, but the 
bowel resists it and will throw it out quicker. Consequently the 
water does not stay in long enough to soften the fecal matter. 
The injection should be repeated every 3-4 hours. The oil 
should be repeated night and morning in pint doses but with 
each repetition, lessen the quantity of nux vomica. Give an 
ounce the first dose, and a dram every subsequent dose. 

Suppose the trouble runs on and does not yield to this treat- 
ment, give stronger remedies, such as eserine, arecolin and barium 
chloride. You can give a grain and a half of eserine with a half 
grain of strychnine dissolved in a dram of water — give hypoder- 
mically. Fifteen or twenty minutes before giving these doses, 
give half an ounce of cannabis indica. Or give him morphine, 
but cannabis is better than morphine. If this does not work, in 
the course of two hours give a grain of arecolin and a half grain 
of strychnine. Dissolve in water and give hypodermically. Some 
add to either or both of these from 34 to 1^ grains of pilocar- 
pine, but this produces more pain than the other remedies. 

If the horse gets no relief by the fourth day, and the fever 
begins, the pulse begins to climb up, his countenance is dis- 
tressed, etc., the doctor begins to get worried. If warm enemas 
have been given, change them to cold — this will help very much. 
Run the hose in slowly five or six feet and use plenty of water. 
The cold water will reduce the temperature, which by this time 
may be 106 degrees. In half an hour the temperature will come 
down two degrees. It will allay the pain and stimulate the sym- 
pathetic system. This cold injection often saves a horse. This 
is especially true if the case does not yield to eserine or to are- 
calin. 

Never repeat eserine or arecolin oftener than three hours 
apart. If you repeat them alternate them, and do not forget 
that the stimulants are as useful as any other part of the treat- 
ment. In case of an infant suffering from constipation, give a 
soap and water injection, inserting the finger, and let him have 
an ounce of New Orleans molasses, or a half ounce of linseed 
oil, or an ounce of castor oil. 

If in 6-10 hours very urgent symptoms come on, do not 
wait for the action of oil, but resort to eserine or arecolin. Dr. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, 121 

Quitman cuts out the eserine in case of complete paralysis of the 
bowel, but if the strychnine is given first to stimulate, then the 
eserine will work all right in such cases. Eserine should not be 
repeated under 3 hours. The dose is \y 2 grains. 

Horses afflicted with any kind of paralysis in any part of the 
body will take large doses of strychnine. 

Counter irritation is good in cases of constipation. If mus- 
tard does not seem strong enough, then take croton oil. Mix 
croton oil (1 part) with linseed oil (8 parts). The doctor should 
apply this externally himself, and be careful not to blemish. The 
irritant acts as a purgative as the result of absorption. 

In obstinate constipation we find that massage of the bowels 
is very practical, especially for dogs, cats and the human. It can- 
not be applied to the horse. In treating the dog, lay him on the 
left side, fill him up with soap and water and firmly work the 
water out of the colon. Begin on the right side and work along 
the colon and down the left. 

DIARRHOEA. 

Definition. — Diarrhoea is an unnatural fluid condition of the 
feces. It is a peculiar functional disturbance in which there is 
an excessive secretion of the succus entericus. This additional 
intestinal juice helps to produce the fluidity of the feces. Ac- 
companying the diarrhoea are increased peristalsis and increased 
amount of mucous and gelatinous exudate accumulating on the 
mucous membrane of the bowel. This is a catarrhal condition. 
In superpurgation we have diarrhoea, but it is not functional ; 
it is the result of the action of the dose. 

Etiology. — Diarrhoea is caused by the action of some irritant 
in the bowels. This irritant acts as a stimulant. Undue fer- 
mentation may be present, brought about by specific germs, es- 
pecially fungi and molds. Or there may be inactivity of the liver 
in which there is a defective secretion of bile, — there is not bile 
enough to change the acid chyme to the alkaline chyle. If the 
contents of the bowel are not alkaline, then diarrhoea takes place. 
This is the cause of 95 per cent of all the cases that occur. Par- 
asites, various intestinal worms, especially the ascaris megaloce- 
phalus (not so much tape worms), mechanical and chemical irri- 
tants, local irritants such as would produce a local inflammation 



122 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

with alteration of structure, excess of bile which is of itself a 
laxative (ox gall is the standard family laxative), bad hygiene 
(poor food, such as hay cut from the bottoms which overflowed 
the previous spring, the action of the sand being the cause of the 
diarrhoea ; foul water containing wigglers and parasites, and ir- 
regular and overfeeding), exposure to cold and dampness, over- 
heating especially on a hot day — these are the principal factors 
producing diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is also a symptom of influenza. 

Semeiology. — In diarrhoea there is usually a watery discharge 
from the bowels, often spoken of as alvine discharges. The color 
is dirty brown or it may be clay or yellow. The dirty brown is 
the usual color when the liver it not affected. The lighter color 
indicates a deficiency of bile, a yellow color an excess of bile. 
In case of an excessive secretion of bile there will be a switching 
of the tail prompted by the irritating action of the bile, which 
scalds the anus. This is bilious diarrhoea. 

In all cases of diarrhoea vacuations are frequent; in mild 
cases the discharge may be frequent too, but it is not so fluid. 
There is more or less pain present, and in bad cases actual 
cramps. If the case is acute the animal may lose a day or two 
from his work. Increased secretion and increased peristalsis 
are nature's remedies to get rid of irritants. Consequently in 
diarrhoea we find the mouth pasty, like the coated tongue in the 
human. The mouth smells sour. As a result there will be a 
lowering of temperature, i. e., subnormal. The amount of the 
fall of temperature depends upon the nervous prostration which 
results from the evacuations. The mucous membranes become 
blanched and they become paler as death approaches ; the pulse 
gets smaller, weak and hard; animal has a dejected appearance; 
he sweats in patches, due to the rapid onset of the disease; ul- 
timately he dies from syncope, or collapse. 

Diarrhoea runs a very rapid course; in young animals 6-10 
hours may be fatal. In case of superpurgation (an overdose or 
injudicial repetition) the course is very rapid. Do not repeat 
a dose of aloes under seven days, for you are liable to get serious 
results. Be very careful about repeating purgative doses. Some 
say that oil will kill a horse. "I know better." You can give 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 123 

him a gallon. It is better to let the horse die from other trouble 
than from supergation. 

The bowels of the horse are very sensitivve; I do not be- 
lieve in much purgation for it is weakening. The danger lies in 
injudicial repetition of the dose. 

The strongylus tetracanthus sets up an enteritis rather than a 
diarrhcea. 

In all cases where the temperature runs down, the surface 
gets cold, especially in young animals. Foals shut up from their 
mothers should not be separated for more than four hours, for the 
milk will spoil and produce diarrhcea in the foal. Let the colt 
suck some every four hours. Never overheat a mare suckling a 
colt ; for this produces an unthrifty condition of the colt. 

Post mortem. — General pallor ; the mucous lining of the bow- 
els is pale; intestinal epithelium eroded in places over extensive 
areas ; may find inflammation ; peritoneal coat spotted ; eccymosis ; 
contents of the rectum more or less bloody, called by some dys- 
entery, but it is really blood diarrhcea. In dystentery we have 
a rise of temperature ; in diarrhcea, a lowering. 

Treatment. — Remove the cause. For the excessive peristalsis 
opium is the only remedy; for the condition of the bowels give 
antacids. If the fermentation is microbic, give antiseptics. 
Salol is the best ; it is effectual and harmless. Opium is best given 
in powder by mouth. To prevent nervous prostration, give a 
stimulant — zingiber or capsicum, or if the case is serious, ammon- 
ium carbonate or alcohol. Strychnine is contraindicated. The 
object is to tide nature over while the other drugs get to work. 
In acute cases astringents are useless ; in chronic they are indis- 
pensable. In cases of bloody feces, give an injection of starch 
gruel with laudanum. When the bowels are running, an enema 
locks them and you are apt to get enteritis. For dogs, cats and 
•people give subnitrate bismuth (10 grains) and salol (5 grains). 

ACUTE DIARRHOEA. 

Treatment. — This consists of antacids and antiseptics, the 
antacids to neutralize the contents of the stomach and bowels 
and the antiseptics to arrest the fermentation in them. 



124 . THEORY AND PRACTICE 

Prescription — 

Salol 5 grains 

Bismuth 10 grains 

Take every four hours. 
Both these drugs are harmless and the two doses usually pro- 
duce the desired result. This prescription is good for man as 
well as for animals. In grown people diarrhoea does not always, 
yield to the antacids and it is necessary to change to acids, in 
which case use sulphuric acid. 

Usually excessive thirst is a symptom of diarrhoea; sulphuric 
acid cures this and stimulates healthy secretions when the anta- 
cids fail. 

CHRONIC DIARRHOEA. 

Chronic diarrhoea is exceedingly disagreeable. The horse 
comes out of the barn in a normal condition so far as the bowels 
are concerned, drives a mile or two, when he begins to empty 
himself and keeps on getting looser as he travels. This is par- 
ticularly true of driving horses. 

The cause of this trouble lies in over-heating the horse when 
he is in a plethoric condition. This purges him and he never 
gets over it. The mucous membranes become excessively irri- 
tated and this excites the sympathetic nerves which control the 
bowel. The result is chronic looseness. Chronic diarrhoea can 
be controlled to a certain extent but it cannot be cured. 

Treatment. — Give antacids and astringents. Hygiene will do. 
more for the animal than any other measure. Give the best 
quality of food in rather limited quantities, especially hay. The 
army allowance for a horse is fourteen pounds a day, this for an 
average sized horse; in this condition give 10-12 pounds. Add 
dry bran to the oats to make him chew slowly and he will masti- 
cate better. If he is inclined to drink too much water measure 
the water for him; give it to him in a pail, \ l /> gallons four 
times a day, six hours apart. If the thirst is excessive put a 
little bicarbonate of soda or hydrochloric acid in the water. Do 
not give any corn. Keep him on oats and bran. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 125 

Prescription \ 

Sodium Bicarbonate 2 ounces 

Gentian Rd. Pulv 3 ounces 

Quercus Rd. Alba Pulv 16 ounces 

Zingiber . 1 ounce 

Charcoal 3 ounces 

Make into 60 powders and give one night and 
morning. 

Recommend the driver of the horse to start out slowly, and 
go that way for an hour, increasing the pace of the animal grad- 
ually. Especially is this necessary in hot weather. In bad cases 
it is necessary to give this treatment continually, and the horse 
will keep in a very comfortable condition. After a month's treat- 
ment leave it off for a week or two periodically. 

The main treatment is the hygiene. Use soft diet such as 
scalded oats for horses. If you give ground feed a little bran 
should be added; pour hot water on it and steam well, adding 
a little salt. For horses that scour from indigestion stir up a 
little wheat flour and cold water ( a pint of flour to a gallon of 
water) and give that. This will often be effectual. 

The following is the classification and description of the three 
principal worms associated with colic : 

1. Ascaris megalocephala, inhabiting small 

intestines. 

2. Strongylus armatus (sclerostoma equi- 

num), found in the large intestines 
of the horse. 

3. Oxyuris curvula (commonly called pin 

worms), found in the intestines and 

rectum of the horse. 
The ascaris megalocephala belongs to the family ascarides 
of the order of nematodes. It is the largest species of its kind. 
It is a large, round, yellowish white worm from 10-14 inches 
long. It is oviparous and common in the small intestine of the 
horse, ass and mule. When these worms are numerous to cause 
an obstruction they may cause colic. 

The strongylus armatus is a blood sucking worm found in the 
large intestine of the horse. It is from 1 to 2 inches long; body 
gray or reddish brown and broad in its anterior part. The mouth 



126 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

is provided with a ring of fine teeth by which it holds to the 
mucous membrane. The larvae of the worm may be found in 
aneurisms and may produce tumors as large as a hazel nut in 
the wall of the intestine (verminous cyst). 

The oxyuris curvula is the ordinary pin worm and is most 
common in the rectum. It measures from 1 to 3 inches long; 
curved in the anterior part of the body; the posterior half is 
attenuated. Its mouth presents three great rounded lips. It be- 
longs to the family oxyuridae of the order of nematodes. 

Ascaridae (family). 

[Ascaris megalocephala (species). 
Large round worm (common). 

Strongylidae (family). 



TStrongylus armatus (sclerostoma 
I equinum) 



^The armed worm. 
Oxyuridae (family). 

J Oxyuris curvula (species). 
Common pin worm. 

COLIC. 

Colic in the abstract, of course, relates to the colon; but as 
a disease we apply the word to peculiar abdominal pain. Colic 
is divided into two classes, spasmodic and flatulent. 

Spasmodic colic is a painful affection of the bowels without 
fever or inflammation. The pain is intermittent and is pro- 
duced by irritation of the mucous lining of the bowels. This ir- 
ritation extends to the muscular coat, which contracts spasmod- 
ically through the stimulation of the sympathetic nerves. This 
contraction is usually violent and painful. It is the effort of 
nature to increase peristalsis by pushing the irritant along. If 
nature is successful in doing this, the trouble ends; but if not, 
then the action is repeated. Therefore the pain is intermittent. 
If nature fails entirely, the irritation wil later produce conges- 
tion and inflammation, and eventually death by enteritis. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 127 

In such a case the spasms increase in violence as the case 
runs along. In a favorable case they may stop altogether, but if 
they do recur, it is with decreased violence until they stop. 

Etiology. — As to the causes of colic, first comes error in diet, 
producing indigestion. This covers overeating, poor food, heavy 
drinking soon after eating, frozen food, — this chills the mucous 
lining and the reaction from the chill is accompanied by cramps, 
eating when" physically exhausted, drinking large draughts of cold 
water especially when warm, and still more so if the horse is 
tired, intestinal concretions, — usually the calcareous ones (a cal- 
culus in the bowel does not cause pain until it rolls out of its 
pocket, then it acts as an irritant, but the pocket in which it 
grows has become accustomed to its weight gradually), para- 
sites such as ascarides, strongylus armatus and strongylus tetra- 
canthus. Of these three worms the last two mentioned are more 
likely to produce colic, the first to produce diarrhoea. The young 
embryos of these worms work their way into the colic artery, 
start a colony and eventually cause an aneurism, which is more or 
less obstructed by worms. Any alteration or disturbance of the 
circulation in the bowels produces violent pain the same as con- 
gestion in pleurisy causes pain. This pressure in the colic artery 
produces pain sufficiently to ultimately kill the animal. 

The strongylus t^traeanthus usually exists in large numbers 
and produces extreme pain, for which we use irritating poisons 
such as arsenic, sulphate of copper, sulphate of zinc, sulphate of 
iron in large quantities, and any preparation of lead. 

Another cause of colic is exposure to cold and dampness. If 
a horse falls down or lies down on the ice or snow, exposure to 
the cold is likely to produce colic. Colic may be produced by 
violence in the form of kicks, severe accidents, etc. 

Semeiology. — Colic usually comes on suddenly. The irritant, 
whatever it is, irritates the lining of the bowel and nature will 
submit to this disturbance only up to a certain point. Then she 
gives away suddenly. The irritation sufficient to produce colic 
may be accumulating for several days or it may do its work in a 
few hours, but when the colic begins, it runs a rapid course. If 
the horse is watched prior to the development of the disease, it 
will be noticed that he gets uneasy first, may lie down and kick 



128 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

his hind feet up, turn around, switch his tail, lie down and roll 
and get up again. He /may be quite comfortable for a few 
minutes, then another cramp comes on a little more severe than 
the preceding one. As a result he lies down and may attempt to 
remain on his back, then goes through the same restless motions 
again until he exercises himself enough to sweat. He rolls and 
kicks and switches his tail until he feels easier. 

In the majority of cases nature cures the trouble. These vio- 
lent contractions succeed in moving the obstruction along. Sev- 
enty-five percent of these cases will be well when the doctor 
arrives. The pulse is increased in frequency due to the violent 
exertion, but it is not altered in character until the trouble has 
been running a considerable length of time with the possible 
danger of enteritis. The exercise may also cause an elevation of 
temperature. 

Pressure on the belly may give relief, while in enteritis or 
peritonitis, it increases the pain ; this is a means of diagnosis. 

According to the idea of the laity retaining the urine causes 
colic, but this does not occur except when the horse has a habit 
of urinating under certain favorable conditions and holds the 
urine too long, thus causing a contraction of the neck of the 
bladder. This is painful in itself and of course he is unable to 
void his urine. Overdistension of the bladder also causes pain. 
Some horses refuse to urinate while in harness ; others will not 
urinate on the stable floor. 

Most all cases of colic are due to the first cause — errors in 
diet. The effect of this is indigestion, and we can say that sev- 
enty-five per cent of the colic cases are due to indigestion. 

The feces in most cases are hard and dry. If the trouble 
is in the large bowel, the horse will stand stretched out as 
though he wanted to micturate. This action on his part is usu- 
ally looked upon as a symptom of the disturbance being in the 
large bowel, but the owner gets the idea that the irritation is in 
the bladder. Again, when the large bowel is involved in colic, 
the horse will usually resist the entrance of the hand into the 
rectum, but will not if the trouble is in the small bowel. 

Occasionally we find that indigestion produces diarrhoea, — 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 129 

quite an extensive loosening of the bowels with severe cramps in 
connection with it. 

Treatment. — Bear in mind that the trouble is always urgent, 
therefore be quick. If you delay, he will get well without your 
help! On the other hand he may develop enteritis. Stimula- 
tion is the main point as regards curing the horse. The object 
of this is to assist nature in forcing the irritant, whatever it is, 
along the bowels. Of course these stimulants naturally increase 
the pain, but by so doing you are assisting nature to overcome the 
trouble. If the contents of the bowels lie along in one place, 
this will produce inflammation and death. The stimulants usu- 
ally given are the more active ones such as sulphuric ether, lib- 
eral doses of nux vomica, strychnine, ginger, small doses of eserin 
or arecolin, barium chloride, aromatic spirits of ammonia. 

Give anodynes freely, such as chloral hydrate, tincture of 
aconite (freely dilute it in small doses and repeat often), can- 
nabis and in exceedingly violent cases injections of morphine, 
not desirable but allowable. Friction on the belly gives relief. To 
overcome the indigestion use some neutral salt to act as an anti- 
septic. Give sodium sulphate in 2-ounce doses. Turpentine is 
an excellent remedy, being an antiseptic and a stimulant. Ginger 
and capsicum are also good remedies. 

Watch the case closely; stay with it for a time. Colic doses 
are usually repeated in half hours but sometimes they must be 
repeated every 15 minutes. For violent colic away from home 
tie a small piece of tobacco to the bit, and the horse will swallow 
enough of it to give him relief. 

FLATULENT COLIC. 

Flatulent colic is similar in many respects to spasmodic colic, 
but instead of the cramp we have tympanitis. This, whether of 
the bowels or the stomach, is always due to the fermentation of 
food. In case of impaction of the colon, when there is paralysis 
of the bowel, there is sometimes a little flatulence, but it is never 
a distressing symptom. In that case the flatulence as it occurs 
passes off naturally. 

In flatulent colic the tympanitis distends the bowels and 



130 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

presses strongly forward against the diaphragm. This disturbs 
the breathing, making the horse breathe faster and more shallow, 
producing rapid nervous prostration or asphyxia. Rupture of 
the bowels frequently takes place, the symptoms are self-evident. 
The body is" distended, the flanks tympanic or drum like, and the 
rectum sometimes everted more or less. 

Pathogenesis. — There is indigestion. The undigested food fer- 
ments; the flatulence starting in one portion of the bowel pro- 
duces a fold on itself so that the gas as it forms, cannot escape 
and the more gas that forms the greater is the pressure upon the 
fold. Then it presses forward upon the diaphragm and causes 
asphyxia, or nervous prostration. Naturally as a result of this, 
the mucous membrane becomes greatly cyanotic; breathing is 
more rapid and shallow ; the ears droop ; the head hangs and in 
the course of 2-4 hours the horse in many cases is ready to 
topple over. 

Treatment. — In a very bad case, when the doctor arrives, he 
has not time to wait for medicine to act ; you cannot relieve the 
case with the hose and the disturbance being in the bowels, it takes 
the medicine a long time to reach that place. In the mean time 
the animal is likely to die. Consequently you must tap the dis- 
tended bowel with a trocar. This is considered by some a rad- 
ical operation, but with horses it seems quite necessary. Keep 
the trocar with you all the time. Keep it well cleaned. Boil it 
after each operation. 

We usually tap on the right side for that is the most promi- 
inent point of the distension. Clip the hair off from a small 
place, scratch it with the finger and then wash the part with an 
antiseptic solution. Make a puncture about 5-8 to 1-2 inch deep 
and then insert the trocar downward, inward and forward, at 
least six inches, especially in a fat horse. If you strike the bowel, 
gas will escape. We find two kinds of gas in these cases, sul- 
phuretted hydrogen and carbonated hydrogen. The first is the 
one usually found. Touch a match to the escaping gas and it 
will burn with a blue flame. If the force is great, it may make 
a flame a yard long. Just as soon as all the gas has escaped, re- 
insert the trocar into the cannula and pull the two out together 
slowly. This will prevent the fecal matter from coming out into 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 131 

the peritoneal cavity. Put some vaseline on the opening to keep 
the dirt out. If possible keep the horse standing during the op- 
eration. Occasionally he will lie down and you cannot get him 
up. Tap on the right side if possible, but either side will do. 

After the gas has escaped the horse can get up. Then dose 
him. The best remedy we have is turpentine. It is quick to 
act — it will act in ten minutes. No other drug will act so quickly. 
In addition to the turpentine it is a good plan to give a liberal 
dose of sulphate of sodium — 4-6 ounces. After the flatulence 
has been relieved, give an injection of soap and water. In case 
of considerable pain, give an anodyne; the best one is probably 
chloral hydrate. Give a 1200-lb. horse about two ounces, either 
in a capsule or in tissue paper. Give liberal doses of linseed oil. 

Occasionally when tapping a horse a stream of blood will come 
out through the cannula, but I have never known this to be 
serious. In case you do not get the gas the first time you insert 
the trocar, keep on trying until you do strike the bowel, always 
inserting it in a new place each time. Sometimes the owner will 
not let you tap his horse, which may be an especially valuable 
one. Assure him that the operation is a perfectly safe one — that 
it is absolutely harmless. If he still refuses, you can resort to 
eserin or arecolin, which should be given hypodermic- 
ally. When using these violent remedies, give the animal an ano- 
dyne so as to blunt the sensibilities ; for these drugs will increase 
the pain. In a moderately bad case, give the eserin, arecolin or 
barium chloride — one dram in a pint of water. 

There is little use to give injections while the abdomen is dis- 
tended. Bear in mind that getting the gas out does not cure the 
trouble; this does not remove the cause. You must introduce 
an anti-ferment with the food. 

In tapping for this trouble there are only two organs to avoid, 
the bladder and the kidney. If you puncture straight down, 
you are likely to strike the bladder. Tap downward, inward 
and forward and you will go in front of the bladder. To avoid 
the kidney dip downward. 

Some unfavorable results occur from tapping. These may be 
enumerated as follows : Peritonitis ; tetanus ; abscess ; intestinal 
fistula. Peritonitis and tetanus do not occur very often, tetanus 



132 J THEORY AND PRACTICE 

probably the more frequently of the two. The germ producing 
it is introduced with the trocar. Peritoneal abscess is the most 
common result. It is located between the parietal peritoneum 
and the skin. This abscess is very serious if neglected. The pus 
that forms in it will extend to the flank and break out there. 
If this occurs, open the abscess and take out the pus, then 
syringe it out thoroughly, and it will heal very soon. This con- 
dition is no reflection upon the doctor,' such abscesses will occur 
in spite of good technique in operating. Exercise all possible 
precaution against dirt to reduce the danger. Sometimes you 
will get a peritoneal abscess on the inside. The resisting power 
of horses is strong except in the peritoneum. In case of intes- 
tinal fistula, there is a chronic discharge from the bowel through 
the puncture. The liquid portion of the bowel contents comes 
out through the puncture and it does not take long for this to 
become a fistula. The best treatment is to cauterize it. Inject 
into the opening a solution of sulphate of copper the strength of 
an ounce to a pint of water — that is a little less than 8 per cent 
solution. Shoot down through the fistula about two drams of the 
solution and smear the external opening with vaseline. This 
injection will produce a sloughing and inflammation and the 
debris will empty the bowel. Usually one injection will cure the 
trouble. 

In using the trocar and canula, do not leave the canula in the 
tissues more than two or three minutes. Congestion may gather 
around it and fix the tissues so that when you take it out an 
opening remains. Two or three minutes is long enough. 

In all bad cases there is great nervous prostration. For this 
give alcohol, strychnine, ginger, capsicum, and oil of turpentine. 

In close ribbed horses you will find that the flank does not 
distend much and is not so drum like as in a long flanked horse. 
These cases require more prompt attention than long flanked 
horses. 

INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTIONS. 

The intestinal obstructions consist of calculi, dust balls, bots 
or any other foreign object that might get into the bowels. As 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 133 

applied to horses these will probably cover all that you will ever 
find. Milch cows are inclined to eat all kinds of stuff, such as 
table cloths, etc., dogs are inclined to swallow marbles, spools of 
thread, and in fact any hard substance. 

Other obstructions of the intestines are caused by : 

2. Hernia and strangulation. 

3. Stricture. 

4. Volvulus. 

5. Intussusception. 

Calculi are composed of carbonate of lime and usually some 
carbonate of magnesia with it. They also contain more or less 
of the phosphates of lime and magnesia. These salts accumulate 
on the outside of the stone in thin layers and they always begin 
to form around a nucleus. This is usually a piece of a nail, a 
screw, any foreign object such as a little pebble, etc. It must 
be something that does not dissolve so that the salts of the in- 
testinal juices will form around it until it grows to a very large 
size, and attains a great -weight. Starting small in this way, the 
calculus forms a pocket, the lining of which becomes irritated, 
not enough to do any harm but enough to set up a sub-acute in- 
flammation that runs into a chronic. The result is cell prolifera- 
tion of connective tissue which forms a fibrous pocket which grad- 
ually becomes accustomed to the growing calculus. The calculus 
does no particular harm unless it falls out of the pocket. 

The "dust balls" usually form in animals feeding on mill 
cleanings from which they get dust and chaff of various kinds. 
These balls are light and usually round and of a black color, — 
most always black. Sometimes these balls form in considerable 
numbers, a half dozen in one animal. 

Stricture. — In this condition you must bear in mind that there 
is likely to be cell proliferation and inflammation. The forma- 
tion of fibrous tissue thickens the wall of the intestines and de- 
stroys its elasticity, producing more or less stenosis. Some do 
not reduce the size of the tube while others reduce it to almost 
nothing. Strictures of this kind might produce a fatal obstruc- 
tion in the bowels. 

Volvulus. — This is sometimes called gut-tie or gut- twist. 
The word means a turning around. There are two ways in which 



134 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

the volvulus occurs: 1. In one case the intestine seems to turn 
right around on itself, making from one to four turns; this is 
fatal. 2. In the second we have a hernia with more or less de- 
generation, and in this conditions say the horse rolls, a portion 
of the bowel passes through making a twist on each side of the 
hernia. This causes a rupture of the mesentery through which 
the bowel passes. This is fatal. 

Intussusception. — This is an invagination of a portion of a 
bowel into another portion of itself. This apparently should occur 
often yet it does not, much to our surprise. It never occurs un- 
der normal conditions. In order to bring it about there must be 
a dilatation of a part, which is probably due to a minor amount 
of degeneration with relaxation, naturally causing the wall to 
dilate. When this takes place, the motion of the intestinal wall 
forces it right into the expanded part. It is seen most often in 
the ileum, a portion of which slips into itself or passes out through 
the ilio-ca^cal valve into the colon. The result is obstruction of 
the bowel, and usually strangulation of both ends of the fold. 
This causes death through gangrene of the invaginated part. 

Horses never recover from intussusception, but cattle some- 
times do. Other animals do not recover. It is always fatal in 
dogs. People sometimes recover in the same way as animals do. 
This condition is comparatively common in babies but rare in 
adults. 

Semeiology of Intussusception. — There are violent colicky 
pains and the case grows worse in spite of treatment. You may 
blunt the sensibilities with drugs but the disease grows steadily 
worse. Death usually takes place in 10-20 hours. There is a 
profuse perspiration ; hagard countenance ; occasional attempts 
to vomit; animal is inclined to sit on his haunches; strains as if 
trying to defecate ; apt to stretch a good deal ; always some flatu- 
lence; before death he becomes quite stupid. 

Treatment. — We can only recommend general principles and 
the first is a careful examination of the animal in hand, espe- 
cially in case of entire males. Stallions have been treated for 
colic when their trouble was hernia. Give oil ad libatum, a quart 
to start with and repeat in pint doses once or twice a day. Give 
rectal injections, cannabis indica, chloral hydrate, and morphia. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 135 

and counter-irritation to the abdomen. Give eserine, arecolin or 
anodynes. 

Never neglect making a post mortem examination on all ob- 
scure intestinal affections. 



EVERSION OF THE RECTUM. 

Definition. — This is a protrusion of the rectum through the 
anus. The mucous membrane may extend out from the size of a 
grape to several feet. It occurs in all animals. In parturient 
paresis in cows the rectum has been known to extend out 6 feet ; 
in dogs have seen it protrude V/2 feet. 

Etiology. — Constipation is the main cause. A dry season in 
pasture with the streams dried up, dry feed, etc., too little water 
— these conditions cause constipation and they are responsible 
for the results of it. Barnyard diarrhoea will sometimes cause 
a prolapsed rectum. Empiric treatment of colic such as a piece 
of soap inserted in the anus, cauterizing it and thickening it, may 
bring about this condition. 

Treatment. The tail must be bandaged and the protruding 

part be washed with warm water and milk, to which has been 
added laudanum J / 2 ounce to the pint. Give the horse a liberal 
dose of chloral hydrate, 2 ounces for a 1,200 pound horse. This 
treatment will not paralyze but will blunt the sensibilities and 
contract the muscles (sphincter). Then try to replace the pro- 
truding part, using especial care not to wound the tissues. Use 
the palm of the hand. If the portion is expelled, inject more of 
the solution (milk and water). There are various means em- 
ployed to keep the rectum in place, such as a rope twisted in 
the form of a truss ; some take two crucial stitches in the anus, 
but if the animal strains at all these will burst. The best way is 
to keep a man with his hand upon the part until it stays in place. 
This is expensive but it is the only practical way. The con- 
gestion will subside in 3-4 hours, although it may take 10. The 
laudanum per rectum relieves the pain. You can use an oint- 
ment composed of petrolatum 8 parts and opium 1 part. The 
opium will have overcome the peristalsis. In cows and dogs, 



136 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

when the bowels have been exposed for some time, the parts 
usually become gangrenous. In this case do not replace the gut, 
but excise the protruded part. Cut off the part \y 2 inches out- 
side the anus and then pull out the gut to get at the normal 
part. Cut off the remaining part so that the edges are normal 
tissue and suture the coats together, making the ridge on the 
inside. Use the interrupted stitch. Before sewing sterilize the 
parts. After replacing pack with oakum. Give the animal suf- 
ficient opium to prevent defecation for three days. Then give 
a dose of oil and enemata. 

HAEMORRHOIDS. 

A haemorrhoid or bleeding pile is a little tumor of blood due 
to interrupted circulation by pressure from fecal matter. The 
fecal matter pressing upon the gut produces passive congestion 
in a localized part of the blood vessels. Constipation is always 
the cause of piles. A portion of the anal rose is caught in the 
sphincter and pinched. This interrupts the circulation and 
forms external piles. If the piles are on the inside they are pro- 
duced by the hard fecal pellets. Internal piles become chronic. 
The feces rub them and make them bleed, hence the hemorrhage. 

Semeiology. — The symptoms are bleeding and painful defeca- 
tion. The horse will switch his tail and the fecal matter is cov- 
ered with blood. In the human sometimes a severe hemorrhage 
occurs. The anus may be too small and contracted, making de- 
fecation difficult. If the feces are hard great harm may de 
done. 

When internal piles become chronic there is so much irrita- 
tion that it leads to a local inflammation of the rectal follicles and 
runs through the first, second and third stages. If the abscess 
is not treated and cured it will ulcerate and perforate the bowel. 
This is always fatal. In the horse the abscess is about two feet 
deep ; in the hog 3-5 inches. It is not uncommon in hogs and in 
the human to see an opening on each side of the anus. In the 
horse the abscess may contain 3-4 quarts of pus. If the abscess 
is not opened it will rupture in from 10-30 days and become 
chronic. This is called an anal fistula, 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



137 



Treatment. — First overcome the constipation. This is often 
very difficult, especially in the human. In the domestic animals, 
loosen the bowels with oil and then diet. Give dose (big) of 
chloral hydrate; after a half hour dilate the anus with a specu- 
lum and explore. If hemorrhoids are found, remove. Use anti- 
septic solutions for 10 days and keep the bowels open. Give 
salol. In case of external piles, remove in the same way, put- 
ting back only as a last resort. Sulphur ointments should be 
applied after each defecation. In the human astringents are re- 
lied upon but they are not much good. 

Imperforated anus sometimes occurs. The foetus may be born 
with the skin closing over the anus. In such case cut through 
and open up the anus. 

RUPTURE OF THE INTESTINAL WALL. 

Rupture of the intestinal wall occurs occasionally but not 
as often as rupture of the stomach. It is usually caused by flat- 
ulence. The first attack very seldom ruptures a bowel and not 
very often the stomach, but repeated attacks lead to degeneration 
of some part which finally ruptures with much less provocation 
than may have existed some time before. The rectum is some- 
times ruptured by reckless force used in back-raking. 

Semeiology. — There are no diagnostic symptoms of this 
trouble but there will be pretty nearly the same symptoms as 
occur in case of rupture of the stomach. These are great nerv- 
ous prostration; a small, weak, rapid, hard pulse which finally 
gets wiry and imperceptible; animal sweats in patches; sits on 
his haunches. - When the rupture is in the rectum there is usu- 
ally violent straining and the animal dies from syncope. Death 
usually occurs in from 2-10 or even 20 hours. 

The only positive proof of rupture of the bowel is the 
post mortem. 

Naturally there is no special treatment but since there are no 
diagnostic symptoms you have to treat the case until the animal 
dies, 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 

ENTERITIS. 

Enteritis is an inflammation of either the small or large bowel. 
We consider enteritis as a true inflammation but there are author- 
ities, writers and text-books that consider it more in the light of 
apoplexy. It usually comes on suddenly, runs a rapid course 
and terminates fatally. We do not believe that any cases of this 
disease ever recover but there are practitioners who claim to 
have cured many cases of it. Probably their cases were pro- 
longed cases of colic, perhaps with local irritation just develop- 
ing prior to the removal of the cause. It often affects primarily 
the mucous coat, and extends outward to the muscular coat and 
then the serous. The ordinary case runs its course in 6-20 hours 
and dies. The inflammation is so violent and severely acute as 
to produce rupture of the capillaries with more or less hemor- 
rhage by rhexis. This results in extensive extravasations and 
great tumefaction. In the sheep, cow, and human cases of enteri- 
tis may recover, but in the horse I think never. 

Etiology. — At first there is dullness and slight uneasiness ; the 
horse hangs his head, refuses his food, turns his head and looks 
around to one side ; he soon develops fever ; breathing acceler- 
ated ; pulse increases in frequency and hardness ; abdominal mus- 
cles are more or less contracted, for which reason the breathing 
will be more or less shallow ; pain upon pressing the belly. The 
horse will lie down, roll, kick and sweat, but in lying down he 
usually goes down very carefully, — unlike a horse with colic. 
Fever runs up to 104 and 105. The mucous membranes get 
very much injected and cyanotic. 

When the horse passes feces, which may be in the rectum or 
colon at the time of defecation, you will notice that the lining is 
very dark red. The animal develops a haggard, anxious counte- 
nance. After a severe case has been in progress for 4-5 hours, 
the pulse becomes rapid, small and hard, running somewhere be- 
tween 70 and 100. The horse ceases to lie down and walks con- 
tinually if he is loose, with head elevated, eyes dazed, and stop- 
ping occasionally and sighing. When a horse sighs, it is almost 
a sure sign of a fatal termination. Horses never sigh exept 
in the late stages of disease. The extremities get cold, horse 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 139 

gets stupid and loses sensibility to great extent. If the enteritis 
is in the small bowel the animal will sometimes vomit or try to; 
as death approaches, the mucous membranes get livid ; he finally 
stops, stands quietly, pain seems to be continuous ; pulse 100-120, 
probably imperceptible at the jaw ; breathing rapid, shallow, and 
the expiring air cold; he sweats in patches and the muscles 
tremble. We presume that gangrene has set in and the horse 
is only waiting to die from nervous prostration.' I do not think 
that such a case lives long enough to die from septicemia. The 
horse stands as long as he can until weakness overcomes him 
and then he drops and soon dies. He may live 48-60 hours with 
this disease but an ordinary case will run its course and termi- 
nate in 6 hours after the first symptoms are visible. 

Post Mortem. — Upon opening the bowel there is found 
patches of ecchymosis on the serous covering. The wall is 
greatly thickened in the average case y 2 to Y^ inches. The 
contents of the bowel are semi-fluid and bloody. This blood is 
from hemorrhage by rhexis. The thickened bowel wall will be 
infiltrated with serum and lymph. On the surface of the mucous 
membrane there will be a gelatinous coat of more or less coagu- 
lated lymph. The general appearance of the mucous membrane 
is very dark red, almost black. Other animals suffering from 
enteritis are usually very quiet, semi-stupid as it were. Pulse 
and temperature run about the same as in the horse. 

Treatment. — It is difficult to prescribe rationally for enter- 
itis for there are antagonizing conditions. Our best efforts, how- 
ever, should be directed toward removing the cause in the hope 
that if we succeed the effects will cease. As a logical reasoning 
for this conclusion, we will say that whatever the cause of enter- 
itis is if it is not removed, the horse will die. Consequently we 
want to get a free evacuation of the bowels and we treat as for 
constipation. Give oil in liberal quantities and eserine and are- 
colin. Give rectal injections, liberal counter-irritants, alcoholic 
stimulants, give anodynes liberally, such as chloral hydrate, canna- 
bis indica, etc., morphia not being so much indicated. In other 
animals besides the horse, opium is used freely. To quiet the 
bowel suspend peristalsis and then give attention to reducing the 
fever, Such antipyretics as acetanilid are good but in the horse 



140 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

the disease runs such a rapid course that we have not time for 
the drugs to act. We rely chiefly upon removing the cause and 
evacuating the bowels. It is always advisable to make a post 
mortem of a case of enteritis, especially so as to convince the 
owner that it was impossible to save the animal. 

In mild cases such remedies as camphor, aconite and bella- 
donna are indicated. Bleeding has been resorted to and has been 
found useless. 

PERITONITIS. 

Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the lining 
membrane of the abdominal cavity. It covers the mesentery and 
is reflected over the intestines. This serous membrane becomes 
inflamed and the inflammation runs close to pleurisy. The stages 
are the same. Two forms of peritonitis exist, acute and chronic. 
The acute form runs its course in about 10 days, the chronic may 
run along for months. 

Etiology. — The most common cause is traumatism with in- 
fection. External violence, kicks from other horses for in- 
stance, especially those severe enough to produce ventral hernia; 
exposure to cold and dampness ; strongylus armatus ; starvation ; 
old age (no appreciable cause known), — these are the main causes 
of peritonitis. In the third stage of peritonitis the effusion ac- 
cumulates in the abdominal cavity and this condition is called 
ascites. Ascites may be due to chronic kidney and liver dis- 
eases without peritonitis, it being a dropsy from obstruction of 
the portal circulation or from defective secretions of the urine. 
It is sometimes tuberculous, and often follows castrations and 
abdominal operations. 

Semeiology. — Pain is severe but the animal is comparatively 
quiet. Motion aggravates the pain so that instead of rolling and 
tossing and kicking, the horse is quiet. His back is more or less 
arched ; abdominal muscles fixed ; pulse and temperature up, 
temperature about 104, pulse 60-100; pulse hard and small; pres- 
sure upon the belly causes pain. In the third stage the exudate 
is profuse. This is difficult to recognize as the distension of the 
belly is not marked. The legs swell ; dropsical enlargement under 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 141 

the belly is usually seen but not always. The mucous membranes 
are first injected and later get pale; emaciation is rapid. The 
prognosis is usually unfavorable when the disease is extensive 
enough to be appreciable. 

Post Mortem. — Fatal cases of peritonitis have ascites so that 
the post mortem will show much serum in the abdominal cavity. 
This varies in color from amber to red, depending upon the 
acuteness of the attack. The peritoneum is generally red and over 
most of the surface, is softened and easily torn or punctured. In 
a chronic case you will usually find the heart, liver or kidney dis- 
eased. 

Treatment. — We can prescribe for this condition in a ration- 
al manner. Control the fever with acetanilid, keep it down be- 
low two. Apply counter-irritants freely and repeat. A sina- 
pism 2 or 3 times a day is the best local application. Give mor- 
phine hypodermically and give a stimulant with liberal doses of 
aconite, quinine and belladonna. Keep the animal quiet; bear in 
mind that motion aggravates the trouble as well as increases the 
pain. 

Death from castration is usually due to septic peritonitis. Fol- 
lowing a case of this kind you will usually have a swelling of 
the sheath and extreme redness of the wound. In addition to 
internal treatment and mustard on the belly, bathe the swollen 
parts freely and insert a disinfected hand up into the inguinal 
canal twice a day or so to make sure it is kept open. 

DYSENTERY. 

Dysentery is known as bloody flux. It is an inflammatory dis- 
ease affecting the intestines and floating colon. The fever is of 
the same character as typhoid — a low prostrating form of fever. 
The discharges from the bowels are fluid, and contain an excess 
of mucous with some blood and pus and much fetor. These evac- 
uations are accompanied by tenesmus of the rectum. 

Etiology. — The animal has a predisposition, i. e., is weak con- 
stitutionally. The cause is probably specific. Some think that 
malaria is a cause. Dysentery is most commonly seen in cattle 
which are pastured on land overflowed with water or on hay cut 



142 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

from such land. The hay contains much sand and no doubt many 
germs, some of a specific character and these may be the cause 
of the dysentery. The feed should be examined for molds, ani- 
mal parasites, and bacteria. 

Semeiology. — Dysentery starts as a diarrhoea, but with a tem- 
perature of about 2 degrees. The prostration is greater than in 
diarrhoea. The coat is staring; almost complete loss of appetite; 
excessive thirst; tenesmus of the rectum; back arched, all four 
feet brought nearer each other ; tail cocked, head lowered ; invol- 
untary cramps and straining; fecal matter is largely a jelly-like 
substance streaked with blood and has a fetid discharge. This is 
due to the degeneration of the mucous follicles in the rectum 
which are ulcerated. The molecular death (decomposition) 
causes the stench; sulphuretted hydrogen gas is formed. The 
tissues blacken a silver probe. 

Prognosis. — There is a tendency to a fatal termination. The 
diagnosis should be guarded. If the disease lasts a week or ten 
days marasmus takes place, emaciation and nervous prostration 
develop very rapidly and death results from collapse. 

Post Mortem. — The lining of the rectum is of a purple color 
and very much swollen ; it shows numerous little elevations which 
upon closer examination prove to be ulcers. They look like pap- 
ules. In young stock there would be general pallor of all the 
membranes. 

Treatment. — Prescribe a complete change of food. This is 
all important. Give the best obtainable food and see that the 
water is pure. Give linseed tea with a little bicarbonate of soda. 
Laxatives are not indicated. Quiet the rectum by starch and 
laudanum injections with a 10 per cent solution of boracic acid 
added. Give opium internally by mouth and tonic doses of 
quinine. Salol and bismuth are good remedies. Allay cramps 
by hypodermic injections of morphine. Chloroform combined 
with opium and camphor are indicated. 

It is all important to give attention to hygiene. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 143 

DISEASES OF THE ABDOMINAL GLANDS. 

LIVER-SPLEEN-PAN CREAS. 

Diseases of the liver in the lower animals are less common 
than in the human, but when they do exist they are probably just 
as serious. The lower animals lead more natural lives and are 
less given to dissipation and therefore they are less given to dis- 
ease. They are accustomed to eat what is given them and drink 
what is provided them and keep more natural hours. In the 
human this is very different. Many of the liver diseases in the 
human arise from drinking alcoholic drinks. 
1 The phenomena of the liver diseases are as follows : 

1. Jaundice or icterus. This is a general 

yellowness of all parts of the body. 
It shows in the visible mucous mem- 
branes and in the skin, i. e., in the hu- 
man. 

2. Lameness — in very serious acute dis- 

eases of the liver the horse oftentimes 
is lame in his right forward quarters. 
Occasionally he has colicky pains. 

3. Bilious diarrhoea, if the liver is work- 

ing excessively. 

4. Feces gray, in case of torpidity of the 

liver. 

5. General listlessness. 

6. Diarrhoea. 

CONGESTION OF THE LIVER. 

We recognize three congestions of the liver : 

1. Active congestion, involving the hepatic 

arterial system,— the nutrient system. 

2. Passive congestion, involving the venous 

or portal system. 

3. Biliary congestion. 



144 J THEORY AND PRACTICE 

Bear in mind that there are two distinct circulations in the 
liver, the arterial and the portal or biliary. 

In the hepatic arterial system we find that there is an in- 
creased flow of blood to the normal liver during the active stage 
of digestion. This is normal of course, but in disease there is 
an excess of blood during digestion. 

Etiology of Active Congestion. — Over-feeding on nitrogenous 
food is a principle cause. This makes an animal plethoric. This 
alone without any exciting cause is liable to develop hepatic ar- 
terial congestion at any time. Exercise, especially when an animal 
is in a gross condition during hot weather excites a plethoric 
condition. It is seen in horses that are pampered and very lib- 
erally fed and more or less idle. Over-feeding with too little 
work results in rupture of some of the blood vessels of the liver 
and as a consequence hemorrhage. This hemorrhage is not suffi- 
cient to do any harm with a first or second attack, for the rup- 
tured vessels heal and the clot becomes absorbed, leaving an 
anaemic patch, usually white. These patches can be seen on the 
surface of the liver under the capsule. These may vary in size 
from 34 mcn to 24 i n °h m diameter. They are old chronic 
infarcts. These are common in old cattle and occasionally in 
horses. 

In a more severe case rupture of the larger blood vessels oc- 
curs ; the hemorrhage is greater, and if it is a third or subsequent 
attack, degeneration takes place to a greater or less extent. Con- 
sequently the infarction and hemorrhage are greater. Sometimes 
rupture of the capsule takes place with a fatal internal hemorr- 
hage. 

Etiology of Passive Congestion (Portal). — This depends 
mostly upon the enervation, that is, nervous prostration of the 
animal. This is the principal cause of portal congestion. General 
enervation is seen in influenza, pneumonia and in other affections. 
The liver gets torpid and does not work as actively as it should. 
The bile is not secreted in proper quantity and biliary capillaries 
become congested, probably as a result of defective cardiac power. 
The congestion produces pressure upon the liver lobules, inter- 
fering with the -outward flow of the bile through the minute bile 
ducts. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 145 

In case of pneumonia there is a different pathogenesis. 
There is a defective cardiac power. In all bad cases of pneumonia 
there is more or less obstruction of the arterial circulation in the 
lungs. This is especially so in the third stage, and the obstructed 
circulation dams up the outlet and leads to dilatation of the right 
ventricle, which in turn prevents the blood from leaving the liver. 
Consequently in most cases of pneumonia on about the fourth day 
we get considerable jaundice. 

In chronic diseases of the kidneys there is an insufficiency of 
secreting substance, and consequently an insufficient secretion of 
the urine. The retained urine by pressing upon the portal 
vein, causes ascites. 

Biliary Congestion. — Biliary congestion occurs secondary to 
the active or the passive. It is a direct result of pressure upon 
the lobules and bile ducts. Then absorption of the bile takes place 
and we get a jaundiced condition. 

Post Mortem. — In passive and biliary congestions the liver 
is darker than normal, — in streaks or in spots, usually in streaks. 
There are fine yellow markings. These are the surcharged bil- 
iary ducts. 

Semeiology. — Listlessness is an important symptom. In ac- 
tive congestion pressure over the region of the liver will often 
cause pain. The horse or other animal will try to get away from 
one. Jaundiced mucous membranes are a sign; feces are usually 
dry, or after a period of constipation there may be a slight diar- 
rhoea ; mouth coated and has a soapy feeling and a sour smell. In 
bad cases the animal grinds his teeth. In chronic cases the animal 
is hungry for salines. He will eat dirt, lick the wall, and chew 
the manger. Pulse and temperature will not vary much from 
the normal, unless the trouble is secondary to some other disease. 
In bad cases the appetite is poor and the animal gets unthrifty. 

Treatment. — Treat according to the cause. If the hepatic dis- 
turbance is secondary to some other disease, treat the original 
disease. If the original trouble is in the liver, let the treatment 
center there. In case of a fat horse, let him fast. Give him a 
purgative, calomel or bicarbonate of soda. When you get re- 
sults from these begin on some acid mixture, nitric acid or aqua 



146 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

regia. If there is no anaemia, give sulphate of soda night and 
morning for a week or two and regulate the diet. 

HEPATITIS. 

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. It runs through the 
three stages of inflammation and goes on to suppuration in the 
form of liver abscesses. This condition cannot be diagnosed dur- 
ing life. 

Semeiology. — The symptoms are general unthriftiness ; lan- 
guor, animal unable to do much ; the disease does not usually kill 
unless the abscess is large and ruptures internally. If the inter- 
nal rupture takes place, the disease will terminate in pyaemia in 
about a hundred days. 

Post Mortem. — The capsule of the liver is thickened due to 
cell proliferation. The interlobular connective tissue is also thick- 
ened. Liver abscesses are usually associated with some other dis- 
ease as glanders, strangles, etc. 

CHRONIC HEPATITIS. 

This condition is cirrhosis of the liver. It is a subacute and 
chronic inflammation of the liver, affecting the interlobular fibrous 
connective tissue. The liver is large and hardened and the edges 
are rounded and thickened. The color is lighter than normal, 
more of a bluish color than the usual thick red. This condition 
is found in old animals which are starving because their teeth 
are too poor to grind up the food before them. 

Special Pathology. — Hypertrophy of the connective tissue pro- 
duces pressure upon the biliary ducts and lobules and as a result 
we find yellow markings through the liver. The liver is brown 
in patches and the lobules are anaemic. The capsule is as hard 
as cartilage. This produces pressure upon the veins and portal 
circulation causing ascites. The word cirrhosis comes from the 
Greek kirros, meaning orange -yellow and refers to the yellow 
condition of the liver which is the result of the fibrous condition. 
This hardening may be applied to any organ but it more properly 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 147 

belongs to the liver. The hypertrophy of the connective tissue 
may produce atrophy of the parenchyma, that is, the epithelial 
cells which make up the lobules. It is often the primary lesion 
of ascites of old dogs. 

Treatment. — This should be directed toward putting the ani- 
mal is a better condition. Attend to its teeth, give him better and 
more easily digested food ; give him potassium acid tartrate in his 
feed. 

FATTY DEGENERATION. 

Fatty degeneration of the liver occurs in fat-pampered horses 
and dogs. The liver of a dog with ascites may be five times the 
natural size. In such a case the liver is large, soft and yellow 
and there is jaundice. The dog is fat and weak. 

Treatment. — Reduce the artificial heat; decrease the amount 
of food and increase the work gradually. Sheep develop fatty 
degeneration if fed on non-nitrogenous food, such as white tur- 
nips. In such a case prescribe pea-meal and oats. The liver is 
large and yellow ; miscropical examination shows fat globules 
in the liver cells; many of the lobules are transformed into fat. 
The animal may die from fatty degeneration of the liver and 
still appear thrifty. 

ICTERUS. 

Icterus is a yellow condition of the whole system. This is caused 
by two factors: 1. Suppression (non-secretion of the bile); 2. 
Reabsorption of the bile. These two conditions may be differ- 
entiated by the presence or absence of biliary acids in the urine. 
These are glycocholic and taurocholic acids. When these acids 
are found in the urine they are a sure sign of reabsorption of the 
bile; when they are absent from the urine, it means that no bile 
has been secreted by the liver, that is, suppression. 

Test for Biliary Acids in the Urine. — Put a dram of urine in 
a test-tube and in it dissolve a little cane sugar. To this add 
carefully so as not to mix a dram of sulphuric acid, holding the 
tube slanting so that the acid passes down under the urine. If 



148 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

biliary acids are present, a deep purple band will form between 
the urine and the sulphuric acid; if not, a brown band will form. 
In case the acids are present it is a sure indication of obstructed 
bile ducts and a consequent reabsorption. If the brown band is 
the reaction, then this is a sign of suppression. 

Etiology of Suppression. — Enervation is an important symp- 
tom. It occurs in the disordered hepatic circulation of cirrhosis, 
in tuberculosis, actinomycosis, fatty degeneration, etc. 

Etiology of Reabsorption, — This condition is due to obstruc- 
tion of the bile channels. The obstruction may be : 

1. Ductus choledochous — biliary calculus. 

2. Tumefaction of the mucous membrane 

of the duodenum, probably from local 
inflammation, and this causes the same 
condition in the duct. 

3. Stenosis — stricture and obliteration of 

of the duct. 

4. Tumors in the duct. 

5. Pressure upon the duct from without. 

6. Parasites. The ones most commonly 

found are the ascaris megalocephalus 
and the fasciola heptaica. The first 
is found in the horse, ox and sheep ; 
the other found in any animal. 
Semeiology. — In absorption of the bile there is general yel- 
lowness of all parts of the body. The icterus is much greater 
than when due to suppression. The urine is high-colored ; feces 
gray and offensive; mouth feels pasty and soapy; smells sour; 
usually a loss of appetite, not always, in bad cases the tem- 
perature rises on the 3rd day ; by the 5th day the temperature 
will be up to 106; pulse increasing slowly, 60 by the 5th day; 
itching of the skin, horse rubs himself raw ; skin gets thick and 
wrinkly; scurvy with desquamation of the epidermis. On the 
neck the skin lies in rolls size of finger. There is a distinct 
labored action of the right shoulder. The animal becomes ema- 
ciated, anaemic and finally dies from blood poisoning. 

In suppression there is a less yellowness of the mucous mem- 
branes, and even this is pretty much the only symptom. 






OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 149 

Treatment. — In reabsorption get rid of the obstruction. Pur- 
gation is indicated; for a horse of 1,600 prescribe six powders of 
calomel (1 dram) and bicarbonate soda (1 dram), one powder 
every two hours. Give these powders while the horse is fasting, 
then two hours after give 1 ounce of aloes. Let the horse have 
plenty of water, but nothing to eat. Twenty hours after giving 
the ball let him have soft feed and hay. When the purgation 
ceases give alterative doses magnesia sulphate or soda sulphate 
night and morning for two weeks and then start in on quinine 
and nitro-muriatic acid with nux vomica. 

n 

Quinine Sulphate 2% drams 

Ac. Nitro-Mur. Acid 1 dram 

Aqua q. s 1 pint 

M. Sig. — Give 1 ounce two or three times a day 

one-half hour before feeding, with the object of 

dissolving any biliary calculi. 

Do something for the itching. Acetic acid (1 ounce) to a 
pint of water will make a good lotion. When applying, 
leave wet. In hot weather put on a sheet ; in cold, a blanket. Tie 
the animal so that he cannot rub. The absorption of the bile into 
the blood poisons it and causes the itching. 

In case sheep suffer from flukes, change the pasture. 

Spleen. 

The spleen is subject to the various organic changes which 
take place in other tissues, such as congestion, inflammation, 
atrophy, hypertrophy, thrombosis, tuberculosis, carcinoma, mela- 
nosis, etc. The symptoms of disease of the spleen are negative. 

Case of Lymphadenoma in a Horse. — The case was a draft 
stallion weighing 2,200 pounds, aged 5 years. He was sold in 
February and began serving in April and did good service up to 
June. The animal began getting languid and listless and in a 
month's time would not serve at all. He got cross and irritable, 
lazy, and emaciation set in. He ran down rapidly. He died the 
last of July a mere skeleton. The post mortem revealed a spleen 
weighing about 60 pounds. The organ was 6 inches thick and 
the surface was studded with numerous little tumors which ap- 
peared to be fibrous tissue. The horse was sold as a sound ani- 
mal ; suit was instigated, but the owner lost. 



150 theory j\nd practice 

Pancreas. 

The pancreas is most commonly affected with fatty degenera- 
tion, but that is very seldom. One of the evidences is fat in the 
feces, probably due to a faulty action of the pancreatic juice. 

The symptoms are indefinite and are not diagnostic. The 
animal is anaemic and shows irritability. 

CONSTITUTIONAL OR BLOOD DISEASES. 

A constitutional disease is one in which the whole system or 
blood is affected primarily, and if the disease localizes itself it 
does so secondarily. The exogenous diseases are contagious ; the 
endogenous are non-contagious. 

The word "contagious" refers to a disease that is due to a 
specific virus peculiar to the disease itself. The agent of the 
disease is called the contagium. 

If an animal is affected with a contagious disease, the spe- 
cific virus of that disease inoculated into another susceptible ani- 
mal will produce the disease. There are different means of in- 
oculation : 

1. Artificial — scarify the skin and intro- 

duce the virus. 

2. Natural — exposure through the alimen- 

tary tract, respiratory, or through any 
mucous membrane or abraided sur- 
face, or accidental wound. 
The contagium or specific virus in most contagious diseases 
is a known micro-organism — an animal parasite (protozoon) or a 
vegetable parasite (bacterium). In not all contagious diseases 
has the specific virus been found. In such cases we cannot call 
the causal agent a micro-organism, and yet we can reasonably 
presume it to be one or else the disease would not be specific. 

As regards the difference between bacteria and protozooa, 
Sternberg gives a concise definition : The animal organism, that 
is a protozoon, receives food particles into the interior of the 
body assimilating the nutritious portion, and subsequently ex- 
truding the non-nutritious residue. A vegetable organism is 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, 151 

nourished through the cell wall, which encloses the protoplasm, 
by organic or inorganic substances held in solution. This defi- 
nition allows the vegetable organism both organic and inorganic 
food. 

The discovery of the various agents of contagious diseases has 
produced the germ theory. This is as follows : 

When a specific germ of a specific disease is inoculated into a 
healthy animal, it will produce that same specific disease and no 
other. The period of incubation is the time elapsing between the 
inoculation and the first physical signs of the disease. This may 
be called the incubative stage. 

VARIOLA. 

Variola is a specific disease affecting all animal life, but each 
species of animal has its own kind of variola and this is com- 
municable to all other species. The human variola is the small 
pox; equine is the horse pox; bovine, cow pox or vacina; then 
we have goat pox, pig pox, chicken pox, etc., but every pox is 
contagious. 

Course. — Variola runs through four definite stages; viz. i. 
Pimple ; 2. Vesicle ; 3. Pustule ; and 4. Scab. Prior to the physical 
manifestations of the pox, there is probably a little fever, es- 
pecially in the lower animals. In the human the pox is fre- 
quently fatal as is the case in black pox. In the lower animals 
the pox is mild. This disease is non-recurrent; one attack rend- 
ers an animal permanently immune. Chicken pox may render 
some little degree of immunity in the human, and cow pox most 
certainly does. Vaccination is based upon the 

1. Intercommunicability of the disease. 

2. Non-recurrence of the disease. 

History of Vaccination. — Dr. Edward Jenner, an English 
country practitioner, discovered the principles of vaccination. He 
was the first to notice that the milkmaids did not take the small 
pox, that they were practically immune. In 1768 he discovered 
the reason why. He examined cows and people and found that 
the cows frequently had kine pox. He began inoculating people 



152 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

with the serum of the kine vesicles in 1796. He met with such 
success that he announced his discovery to the world in 1798. 
Vaccination was introduced into America in 1800. It has proved 
so successful that the adoption of it has become world wide. 

The specific cause of variola has never been found. 

Etiology. — There is nothing known about the cause of pox. 
The disease has proved to be of a specific nature, and is more than 
likely due to some germ, but the causal agent has not yet been 
demonstrated. 

Course. — Variola equina runs through four well defined 
stages, pimple, vesicle, pustule and scab. The pimple stage is 
short, about 24 hours. The vesicles contain serum which is thin, 
clear and transparent. About the second day it begins to get 
cloudy and the fourth day pustules form. Coagulation of the 
lymph and drying of the skin make the scab. This desquamates 
about the 21st day, leaving an oval shallow circular red pit. Equine 
variola usually attacks the mouth first, then spreads over the 
lips, cheeks, neck and shoulders and continues down tlfe legs. 
Contagious stomatitis may be a form of variola. In case of infec- 
tion from stomatitis use continuous applications of a 2 per cent 
solution of formaldehyde. 

Treatment. — Wash the mouth with potassium chlorate, or so- 
dium biborate solution. Keep a special watering bucket for the 
animal and keep him separate from the other animals. Thorough- 
ly disinfect the stable after recovery. 

Sheep sometimes die from variola. 

Occasionally equine variola is enzootic. In such a case horses 
become infected after being fed or watered from contaminated 
food or water. In 1877 an outbreak occurred in Montreal and 
the stable men in several places contracted the disease. 



ANTHRAX. 

Anthrax has various different names. The French call it 
Charbon; the Germans, Milzbrand; other names are Splenic fever, 
Woolsorter's disease, Putrid fever, Petaechial typhus; in East 
India it is called Loodiana disease, in South Africa, Horse sick- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 153 

ness, in the Highlands of Scotland it is called Braay. Some 
writers call it contagions carbuncle. In the human subject, when 
anthrax is due to inoculation through a wound, it is called malig- 
nant pustule. 

Anthrax is essentially malignant. As a rule it develops 
without any swellings or external manifestations, although there 
may be swelling. All warm blooded animals are subject to it. 
At one time it was thought that the birds and fowls did not have 
it, but this is erroneous. The disease usually runs a rapid fatal 
course, sometimes killing in 12-24 hours. In the horse many 
mild cases recover, but the recovery is slow. Some never fully 
get over the disease. Anthrax is especially noticed among fast 
horses, pacers and trotters. They may recover, but they never 
recover their former usefulness. They may have a wabbly gait. 

Anthrax has been known from time immemorial. In the siege 
of Troy, animals are recorded as having anthrax. The people ate 
the animals and 60,000 of them died. It occurs epizootically and 
enzootically. 

Etiology. — The cause of anthrax is the bacillus anthracis. It 
was discovered by two Frenchmen in 1850 — Rayer and Davaine. 
The disease is communicable from animal to animal and from 
animal to people. The germs may be taken in through any 
channel, but most often by the mouth through food. The germs 
can enter any abraided surface, wounded skin, etc. In case of a 
skin wound the part should be excised. People can get malig- 
nant pustule through handling dirty rags, etc. Whether the 
animal dies from the disease or not depends upon the conditions 
of immunity. The course of the disease depends upon: 

1. The natural immunity of the animal. 

2. Strength of the culture, that is the 

amount of attenuation of the germs. 

3. Number of germs inoculated. 

The period of incubation is short — may be four hours. The 
disease is non-recurrent. One attack renders immunity to an 
animal. Pasteur proved this to be true and because of his in- 
vestigations we now practice vaccination against it. He used 
broth as a culture medium and kept it at a temperature of 42 
degrees C. He found that the germs died in a month. When he 



154 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

introduced the broth into a healthy animal, it produced a con- 
stitutional fever. Pasteur experimented upon sheep, using two 
or three inoculations a week apart, and after the reaction of the 
fever, he found that the sheep were immune. This immunity 
usually developed after the second inoculation. Koch claimed 
that a hypodermic inoculation of anthrax would not immunize an 
animal from the natural infection; he further claimed that the 
germs were dead in a degenerated carcass, but he was not correct. 
There is no doubt that germs have infected people in carcasses 
two or three years old. Koch has immortalized himself, but he 
has made so many ridiculous announcements that he has lost 
caste amongst modern pathologists. 

Horses get anthrax by grazing on lands flooded the previous 
spring. The streams are liable to contain a decomposing carcass 
which carries the germs. The disease may come through the 
food, through the flies, stings etc. 

Semeiology. — Some cases of anthrax develop external tumors. 
When the disease takes the form of apoplexy there is no swelling. 
In case of splenic apoplexy the animal dies suddenly. 

The first thing noticeable is a high temperature, which in 3-4 
days runs up to 106. The visible mucous membranes become 
cyanotic, due to the disorganization of the blood. Weakness is 
progressive and rapid. A few hours before death the animal 
staggers, then goes down, dying from syncope. 

Post Mortem. — The tissues show petechia or ecchymoses. The 
blood spots are local hemorrhages. The spleen is large and 
black, and full of coagulated blood. If the suspended contents 
will gravitate, this is diagnostic of anthrax. Upon opening the 
heart the blood will be found to be black, thick, and non-coagu- 
lated. The liver will be congested and the kidneys are surrounded 
with fat. These are the only lesions found post mortem. An- 
thrax is wholly a blood disease and it is a good plan to corrobor- 
ate the diagnosis by a blood examination. Inoculate a small 
laboratory animal with some of the blood, spleen, kidney, etc., to 
see if anthrax develops. In making a post mortem, always re- 
member that the disease will attack the doctor as well as any one 
else. Use rubber gloves, keep the flies away. Do not allow the 
carcass to be skinned, burn it. If it must be buried, cover it with 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 155 

slaked lime 5 feet deep. Otherwise the earth worms will bring 
the germs to the surface and infect the animals grazing near by. 
Treatment. — If the case is the first one diagnosed, then treat 
the fever and when the animal dies, as he surely will, hold a post 
mortem. If the post mortem confirms the diagnosis, then quar- 
antine against the source of infection. No medical treatment will 
touch anthrax. You can vaccinate, however. Get the printed 
directions which come with the virus and follow them carefully. 
Make sure of your diagnosis before saying anything. The iat 
around the kidneys is the same in Texas fever. The blood of 
anthrax is not like that of any other disease. 

RABIES. 

The name rabies is derived from the Latin rabere, to rave. 
In the human subject it is called hydrophobia. This word means 
dread of water, but the disease is the same as in any other ani- 
mal. Water sets the patient into paroxysms, but so would any- 
thing else. Rabies is a peculiar contagious disease. It presents 
its symptoms through the nervous system in the form of parox- 
ysms which are invariably fatal. All warm blooded animals are 
subject to it. The virus seems to live in the saliva, but an emul- 
sion of brain or spinal cord of a rabid animal will produce the 
disease when inoculated into another animal. Other parts, such 
as the blood, feces, etc., when inoculated, give negative results. 
The rabid virus may be absorbed through a wound. It is usually 
easy to trace the origin of the disease. We regard the history of 
every case important. 

Etiology. — It was formerly supposed that dogs go mad by 
reason of a spontaneous development of certain conditions, such 
as deprivation of water, confinement, ungratified passion, etc., but 
recent investigations show that rabies may occur in any dog and 
in any place, the one thing needful being a bite from another ani- 
mal. Bites around the head are much more dangerous than when 
located in other places. Pasteur states that only one out of five 
bitten by rabid animals develop the disease. So far as the speci- 
fic virus is concerned, we do not know much about it, but the 



156 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

agent must be large for it can be filtered out from the saliva. The 
so-called Negri bodies are a phenomenon of this disease. In 1903 
Negri discovered the small bodies in the nervous tissues of rabid 
animals. They can be seen under the scope in the from of little 
granular oval or round masses which stain red. They are found 
in the gray substance of the brain, especially in the horn of 
Ammon. Investigation of these bodies is being conducted in 
many laboratories and all reports do not agree as to the import- 
ance of these bodies from a diagnostic standpoint. They have 
been found in animals not diagnosed as having rabies. 

Prof. Negri, Dr. Lagorio (Chicago), and Dr. Frothingham 
(Boston) have done much work on the subject of rabies. Dr. 
Frothingham claims that these bodies are a positive evidence of 
rabies. 

So far as the deprivation of water is concerned, any animal 
will develop a fever when deprived of water. Statistics prove 
that we have more rabies in the fall and winter than in the 
summer and the temperature has nothing to do with it. 

The period of incubation may be as short as a week, and it 
runs an indefinite length of time. Rabies may be traced to a 
bite 6 months past. The incubation period averages 28-35 days. 
The periods are the same in all animals. 

Semeiology. — Horse. The first thing noticed is nervousness. 
There is an unnatural twitching of the muscles of the face and 
the patient is irritable, inclined to bite his attendant. He drinks 
slowly and on the second day cannot drink at all. He shakes his 
head, breaks the bucket, etc., and does not eat because of the par- 
alysis of the muscles of deglutition. The horse grows constantly 
more restless and has spasmodic fits of kicking ; makes attempts 
to bite, but does not really do so. 

According to the severity of the attack paralysis sets in 
sooner or later and the animal staggers until he goes down in a 
fit of unconsciousness. 

The bitten part seems to itch and the horse rubs his wound 
against the stall. If the wound is on a leg, the animal nibbles the 
part, bites it, tears it, wounding himself severely. There is no 
fever, the animal dies comatose. Death occurs about the fifth 
day. The course and termination of this disease indicates that 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 157 

it is specific. The symptoms in other animals will be taken up by 
Dr. White and Dr. Merillat. 

Differential Diagnosis. — There is no danger in making a mis- 
taken diagnosis for no other disease comes close to it. In the 
horse cerebro-spinal meningitis has some similar symptoms. In 
the dog acute indigestion must be differentiated. Dogs vomit in 
indigestion, but not in rabies. Because a dog bites, he is not 
necessarily mad. He will bite in case of worms, brain trouble, 
etc. In dog practice it is sometimes difficult to make a diagnosis 
between the diseases of the brain and those of the stomach. 

Treatment. — Rabies is always fatal, consequently medicinal 
treatment is useless and the only thing is preventive treatment. 

Pasteur discovered the efficacy of inoculating an animal with 
attenuated virus. He inoculated chicken broth with attenuated 
saliva of a rabid dog (saliva was old) and it gave no results. 
Then he inoculated a rabbit with an emulsion of the brain of a 
rabid dog; then he used the inoculated animal to inoculate the 
next and so on until he had inoculated 50. He found that the 
50th attenuation was very mild in action, and when an emulsion 
from such an animal was used, it was slower to act. He used 
attenuations of the 50th degree up to the 12th, making the inocu- 
lations 3 or 4 days apart, and this course of treament produced 
immunity. 

The Pasteur treatment as carried out today is practically 
the same. An emulsion of spinal cord of a rabbit is used and 
kept in the incubator for 3 days when it is sufficiently atten- 
uated. This attenuated virus is used for the inoculation. Dr. 
Lagoria inoculates for 21 days, using a 3rd day attenuation for 
3 days, 2nd day attenuation for 5 days, etc. If the bite occurs 
on the face or neck, the treatment should occur immediately. In 
all cases it should begin by the 3rd day. 

GLANDERS. 

Glanders or farcy (French, La Morve; German, Rotzkrank- 
heit) is a specific inflammation especially characteristic of the 
equine species, horses and asses. It is communicable to the 



158 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

human, dogs and cats. It has recently been found that it could 
be inoculated into the bovine species. Bovines are generally con- 
sidered to be immune. Glanders is considered a fatal disease. 
Some mild cases can possibly be cured, but these are infrequent. 

External glanders refers to the specific eruption of the 
Schneiderian membrane; internal glanders attacks the invisible 
mucous membranes such as those of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, 
etc., and the lungs in the form of interstitial pneumonia, the 
liver and internal lymphatic glands. 

Farcy is an eruption of the external lymphatics and ducts. It 
is spoken of as cutaneous glanders. In all fatal cases of either 
glanders or farcy the one runs into the other. A horse seldom 
dies from the one form of lesion without the other appearing. 
The disease runs two courses, acute, and chronic (subacute). 
The acute form kills in 3-6 weeks, although the horse might run 
along for a longer time; the chronic form lasts indefinitely. 

The disease is as old as anthrax. The French wrote about 
it in 1618. LaFosse, 20 years later described it as ulceration of 
the mucous membranes. It exists quite generally in the unciv- 
ilized world as well as the civilized. 

Etiology. — The specific germ of glanders called the bacillus 
malleus was discovered by Loeffler and Schultz in 1882. These 
men were members of the German board of health. The germs 
are found in the discharges of glanders and farcy. With 
them are also found many other bacteria. 

Semeiology. — The earliest symptoms are fever and diabetes, 
insipidus. These symptoms are not usually noticed unless the 
horse is a valuable one and is observed to miss a meal or two. 
The horse may show so marked polyuria as to flood the stable. 
He has a good appetite, but in spite of it he loses flesh rapidly. He 
is not sick long before a nasal discharge begins in the form of a 
red limpid serum mixed with mucus. After a few days this be- 
comes muco-purulent and streaked with blood. If you look into 
his nose you will notice a red local swelling elevated at least yl 
inch. This is the pustule of glanders, and when it ruptures the 
hemorrhage causes the pus to be reddish. The mucus from the 
nose is of a catarrhal nature, coagulated and starchy. It has no 
actual diagnostic appearance, but it is suspicious because of its 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



159 



resemblance to melted butter. This sticky discharge accumulates 
around the rim of the nostrils and dries there more or less. This 
interferes with the respiration. The horse blows his nose and 
a stringy discharge flips up and lodges on the side of the face 
where it attracts dust and dirt. The glandered horse always 
has a dirty face. The stall also will be just as dirty. You can 
always tell a glandered horse's stall. 

In the course of a week the submaxillary lymphatics will 
swell. They catch the debris and germs. As a rule they do not 
suppurate. This symptom is not diagnostic, for you get the same 
in chronic catarrh. 

The pustule in the nostril ruptures, eventually ulcerates, and 
death occurs from molecular degeneration. The ulcer has an 
elevated, ridged edge with a depressed center. Ultimately the 
whole mucous membrane of the nose has a mouse eaten appear- 
ance. In a mild case, especially if the pustules form high up in 
the nostril, the air passages become constricted and we get 
wheezy breathing, but this is not diagnostic. 

Cough, accelerated breathing and pneumonia are the next 
symptoms. The pneumonia is interstitial because it involves the 
interlobular connective tissue. The lining of the bronchi become 
ulcerated. In the course of a week we get cuticular manifesta- 
tions, particularly in the inguinal region and at times in the pec- 
toral. The legs are doughy and the nodular swellings discharge 
and ulcerate. These ulcers do not heal, but remain in a state of 
continual discharge until death. 

In such a condition the horse is dejected, hangs his head and 
looks miserable. The discharge from the nose may became some- 
what offensive. The animal dies from collapse. During the 
whole course of the disease the fever stays up to 102° to 104° 
or even more. The pulse is increased in frequency and decreased 
in size and strength. 

In subacute glanders a chronic discharge from the nose is 
usually the first thing noticed. It is of the same character as 
that in the acute only not so exaggerated. The case runs along 
with no other symptoms except the discharge and the enlarge- 
ment of the submaxillary lymphatics. Such a case may keep up 
indefinitely if well cared for. But during all this time the horse 



160 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

is sowing the germs of the disease everywhere. The termination 
of a chronic case is a sudden development of the acute form. 
This comes from exposure such as an animal would get on board 
ship or in the army, or even poorly ventilated stables may be a 
cause. 

Acute Farcy. — This form of glanders starts with abscesses 
in the lymphatics. They begin as small nodules about the size 
of a hazel nut and suppurate, rupture, discharge and ulcerate. The 
legs swell and eventually the eruption involves the greater por- 
tion of the body. The condition grows worse rapidly and after 
2-4 weeks the case runs its course. 

Chronic Farcy. — In a mild form the inflammatory areas on 
the leg become indurated while small nodules spring up in other 
parts. The course is slow. Many of the ulcers heal, leaving 
hairless scars. Sometimes the farcy buds come up on the head 
and neck pretty thick; they heal and leave scars. Such a case 
may continue for years until some unfavorable" condition develops 
to produce a severe exacerbation. 

Besides the conditions previously mentioned, severe purga- 
tion may bring on a sudden development of acute glanders. 9 
dram doses of aloes following 7 draw dosage will produce se- 
vere purgation. In this climate chronic glanders runs its course 
in about 3 years, but in North Dakota and Montana it may run 
along for 10 years. 

How is the disease carried? The usual port of entrance is 
thought to be the alimentery tract. The virus may be absorbed 
from any mucous surface or through any abrasion of the stom- 
ach lining. Feed boxes, drinking places and hitching posts are 
sources of infection. A glandered horse is prone to rub his 
nose and the sticky discharge therefrom contaminates everything 
it comes in contact with. Dogs discharge much more freely than 
the horse. They carry the glanders germs from one place to 
another. 

The period of incubation of glanders may be as short as a 
week. This is difficult to estimate for we do not know what 
time the case was infected. 

Treatment. — All kinds of treatment have been tried but they 
are all a failure except possibly the mallein test. It is useless 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 161 

to attempt to give medicine and it only endangers the life of the 
attendant. Destroy all glandered horses. In order to do this 
you must get the consent of the owner or else fall back upon the 
state. The state law must be given liberal consideration. You 
cannot take a man's property from him without due process of 
law. In case the owner objects go to the state's attorney and 
find out what action to take. Quarantine the premises in the in- 
terest of the public health if the owner is obstinate. The quaran- 
tine can be maintained indefinitely. 

The main trouble in glanders comes with the handling of sus- 
picious horses. In a stable where one or two animals have the 
disease and the rest are exposed how will you protect the public ? 
The first thing to do, if the doctor is working under the state 
law and has the power, is to quarantine the place. If the doctor 
has not this power, then let him report it to the state officer. In 
most of the states there are laws regulating the disposition of 
animals affected with contagious diseases and glanders is one 
of these diseases. Glanders, foot and mouth disease and Texas 
fever are recognized and handled officially. Most states require 
practitioners to report all cases of contagious diseases. In Illi- 
nois there is a $500.00 fine for failing to report to the state veteri- 
narian any contagious case. 

After the stable has been quarantined then test the animals 
with mallein. 

Mallein is an albuminous . serum. It varies in strength but 
that prepared by the United States is taken as a standard. A 
dose of that which is made in Washington is 1 cubic centimeter, 
about 16 drops. This comes in bottles ready for use and is in- 
jected under the skin in the side of the neck. The object of 
making the injection in this place is to select a place where the 
swelling will be visible. The hair should be clipped off and the 
skin washed before the injection is made. This should be done 
about ten o'clock at night. The temperature of the horse prior 
to the injection should be taken three times a day, morning, noon 
and night. The horse should be in good condition and the tem- 
perature should be taken under favorable circumstances. Do not 
take the temperature soon after drinking cold water but before 
eating or drinking and at a time when he is not warm from exer- 



162 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

cise or work. He should not come from an over-crowded or ill- 
ventilated stable in such a case if ever you want a normal tem- 
perature. After making the injection take the temperature the next 
morning at 7 o'clock, then every two hours during that day and if 
necessary through the night. If the horse has glanders you will 
get an elevation of temperature from 3-6 degrees. The maximum 
temperature will usually be found about 14 hours after the in- 
jection. The temperature, as a rule, in these cases rises slowly 
but persistently. It keeps rising for 24-30 hours. It will then fall 
within 2 or 3 degrees of normal and stay there. 

At the point of injection there will be a swelling varying 
in size from 3-9 inches in diameter. It is usually about Y<\ inch 
thick. Radiating, swollen lines will be seen running from it. 
These are sometimes 3 or 4 inches long, may be a foot and they 
are apt to run downward toward the point of the shoulder. This 
swelling is intensely painful. 

The constitutional effects of the mallein test are as follows: 

The horse hangs his head, loses his appetite and is disin- 
clined to move. This depression is so well marked that it is 
an important symptom. It indicates that the diagnosis of glan- 
ders is unquestionable. A great many cases have been tested, 
destroyed and posted and I have never heard of a case with these 
symptoms of depression proving to be anything else but glanders. 

Of course there will be varying degrees of severity of reac- 
tion from the test. The temper ature may run along to 105 or 
106, and there be present swelling, soreness and depression, -jud 
there would be no question of its being glanders. But suppose 
the maximum temperature is 103, swelling is 3 inches in diameter, 
no soreness, no radiating lines, no depression, — then this is a 
suspicious case. You cannot say that he has or has not glanders. 
Every animal should either be named or marked on the tempera- 
ture blank. Mark the last case as suspicious. 

In case the horse has not glanders the mallein test will give 
no results at all, there will be no elevation of temperature. How- 
ever there may cases come up that will give a little temperature, 
possibly a degree or two. There will be a slight local swelling, but 
no radiating lines. Before night these symptoms will be gene. 
You would declare such a case sound. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 163 

Disposition of the Animals. — The strong reactors should be 
destroyed, the mild ones quarantined and tested again at the end 
of two months. The non-reactors should be taken out to a clean 
fresh place and be kept separate from the others. When the 
tests are made again at the end of the month you may find some 
that give a marked reaction showing that the disease has de- 
veloped in that time. On the other hand some will react suspi- 
ciously at the first test and then when tested again show clearly 
that they were not infected. Such cases should be tested several 
times. It is important to protect a man's horses as far as possible. 
Do not kill any more horses than is absolutely necessary. 

The failure to react on the part of some of these animals 
that are tested two or three times creates the impression in the 
minds of many that the mallein test immunizes the animal. In 
some mild cases the mallein seems to act as a curative and the 
animals become sound again, living along indefinitely, while in 
others the addition of a little more poison than they already have 
in their system precipitates the disease to sudden termination. This 
point is being debated throughout the world today by prominent 
veterinarians, but we aim to be conservative and protect the 
public. If you are acting under a state veterinarian who is in- 
clined to be radical, argue the point with him and if you feel that 
he is unreasonable, more so than you can endorse, you better re- 
sign than be caught by his mistake. 

Thorough disinfection must be given a stable where a glan- 
dered horse has been found and destroyed. This is much easier 
done where the barn has a good floor. Clean out the stable thor- 
oughly, wash the stall, etc. Fill a large bucket with boiling 
water, put in three or four ounces of carbolic acid, one half 
ounce of bichloride of mercury to three gallons of water. Then 
with an old broom scrub the stall. Wet it good and let it soak 
a while then scrape out. Do this two or three times. If the 
stable is tight enough to use formaldehyde and fumigate, do so. 
Shut the stable up tight, suspend a number of sheets in it and 
spray the formaldehyde over the sheets, starting at the far side 
from the door. Do the work very rapidly and back out toward 
the door as you work. Let it stand five or six hours in this con- 
dition, then open the windows and doors letting in all the fresh 



164 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

air possible until it is thoroughly ventilated. Then whitewash 
extensively with fresh slacked lime and sprinkle the floor liber- 
ally with a ten per cent solution of coal tar emulsion. Where the 
glandered horse has stood take out the manger and burn it. 

Some think that the life of the germ is only a few months, 
that it will die with time. This is recognized as correct for out- 
doors — for water troughs, fence posts, hitching posts, etc. But 
inside this is not so. 

The harness used on glandered horses should be cleaned very 
thoroughly and the bits boiled. 

Mallein Test. — We have occasion to have great confidence in 
the Mallein Test. If the horse has an elevation of temperature 
to begin with we may get a reading of thermometer that will 
not tell us much as regards the diagnosis. But if the temperature 
is normal and the reaction is definite, say 3 or 4 degrees above 
normal then the case is one of glanders. If the temperature rises 
3 degrees and depression is slight then do not kill the animal but 
test again a month later. Suspicious cases should be retested. 

If thought advisable, confirm the mallein test with some other 
snch as the Strauss test or the agglutination test. 

Strauss Test. — Inoculate under the skin or into the peritoneal 
cavity of the male pig some glander's pus. In three days the pig 
will show swelling of the testicles which are sore under pressure 
if the pus is specific for glanders. In thus inoculating the pig 
other germs will no doubt be introduced into his system so that 
the pig will die probably anyway from an infection but the swell- 
ing of the testicles is the diagnostic point. 

Agglutination Test. — This test is a new laboratory method. 
It is based upon the theory of the agglutination of germs by an 
infected serum. The serum is first diluted and then inoculated 
with a suspension of the dead glander's germ and after a defin- 
ite length of time agglutination of the germs takes place. This 
reaction can be seen in a test tube, in the test tube the germs 
make a floculant white precipitate at the bottom of the tube. 

Post Mortem. — Suppose we have a case which shows no evi- 
dence of the glander's lesion. At post you will probably find an 
interstitial pneumonia or glanders abscesses in the liver or lym- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 165 

phatic glands. Many cases will show internal evidence of glan- 
ders which were wrongly diagnosed during life. 

Order the animals which react strongly, killed, that is, those 
that have a marked temperature or swelling. Mild cases usually 
react less and less to each test. They should be held over and 
tested again. Never inject mallein into an animal when there is 
fever present from some other cause than the glanders infection. 
All suspicious cases should be quarantined and tested again. The 
mallein test will hurry the termination of an acute case. 

In Montana glanders is mild; horses live for years with the 
disease, and scatter the germs everywhere. Canada gets her 
glanders cases from Montana and this has compelled her to re- 
fuse to admit any reactor into her boundaries. Reactors should 
be kept in continuous quarantine. The owners can put them to 
work, but they must be kept out of the way of other animals. 

The Board of Live Stock Commission of Illinois can make 
rules that are just as binding as laws. The old laws put ihe 
quarantined cases in the barn and kept them there but according 
to the present regulations the horses can go on the public high- 
ways providing they are inspected every week at the owner's ex- 
pense. The veterinarian can charge $2.00 for every 10 horses 
or fraction of ten. The object of these inspections is to catch the 
cases that develop early. If the owner works his horse after he 
has been ordered to hold his animal in he can be arrested. The 
time limit of quarantine is 90 days if nothing develops, but the 
quarantine can be held indefinitely. 

The law says that the owner must carry his own waterpail ; 
that he cannot water his horses at public watering places; that 
he cannot use other stables. 

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS BETWEEN 

GLANDERS and CHRONIC CATARRH. 
Ulceration of Schneiderian No ulceration at all. 

Membrane. Discharge intermittent. 

Discharge continuous. Discharge usually unilateral. 



166 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

Discharge usually bilateral. Coagulated in chunks, not 

Discharge resembles melted but- gluey. 

ter. Discharge always fetid. 

Discharge odorless with exten- 
sive necrosis of the turbi- 
nate bones. 



RECORD OF FIVE CASES TESTED WITH MALLEIN. 

The first three cases occurred in Dr. Vernon's, practice. 
M, 

Case No. 1 Case No. 2. Case No. 3. 
Temperature before 



injection .... 


.10:00 p. m. 


101 


100 


101 


Temperature after 










injection. . . . 


. 6:00 a. m. 


102:5 


100 


102:5 


" 


8:00 a. m. 


103:6 


102 


104 


" 


10:00 a. m. 


103:4 


102:4 


103:6 


" 


12:00 m. 


103:4 


102 


103:4 


" 


2:00 p. m. 


103:2 


101:8 


101:8 


< ( 


4:00 p. m. 


102 




101:2 


" 


6:00 p. m. 


101:6 




101:2 



The first case developed a swelling at the seat of injection 8 
by 10 inches. There was no swelling the next morning and the 
horse showed no depression. 

In the second case the swelling was slight and there was no 
depression. 

In the third case was a swelling 5 by 10 inches with no de- 
pression. 

The question arose what to do with these animals. As the 
temperature and swellings were not typical it was decided that 
they should be liberated. 

The next two cases were under Dr. Schneider's observation. 

Case No. 1 — Gray. Case No. 2 — Roan. 
Temperature before 



injection. . . . 


. . 3:30 p. m. 


99:9 


100:6 


" 


7:00 p. m. 


101:6 


101:5 


" 


10:00 p. m. 


101:4 


100:8 


Temperature after 








injection . . . . 


.. 6:00 a. m.' 


104:1 


100:3 


" 


8i:00 a. m. 


105:8 


102:6 


" 


10:00 a. m. 


105:8 


104 


<< 


12:00 m. 


105:9 


103:3 


" 


2:00 p. m. 


105:3 


102:4 



4:00 p. 


m. 


105:7 


6:00 p. 


m. 


105:2 


8:00 p. 


m. 


105 


10:00 p. 


m. 


104 


7:00 a. 


m. 


105:1 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 167 

104:2 

104:2 

103:3 

104 

103:8 

The first case developed a swelling 4 by 5. 

Second case developed a swelling 3 by 4. 
Both of these cases showed great depression the day fol- 
lowing the injection and the next day also. It was supposed 
that they had the disease and they were destroyed. 

STRANGLES. 

Strangles Gourme (French), Druse (German), is a conta- 
gious disease peculiar to the horse. Some writers describe it under 
the name of Coryza Contagiosa Equorum. The specific germ 
was described by Schultz in 1888 and he called it streptococcus 
equi. Horses of all ages may contract the disease but it is gen- 
erally known as a colt disease. It is non-recurrent, but possibly 
in rare cases it may attack an animal the second time. 

Strangles runs two courses, the regular and the irregular. 
The irregular course used to be a disease called Bastard Strangles, 
but this name has become absolete. 

In its nature strangles is a pyogenic fever. No other species 
of animal is ever attacked. The regular form manifests itself in 
abscesses about the throat, in the submaxillary space, in the 
glands about the head. It runs a course of about a week or 
two when the abscesses will have ruptured spontaneously and 
healed benignly. The abscesses usually discharge for about a 
week. 

Inoculation with pus from these abscesses will not produce 
the disease but cohabitation of the diseased and healthy animals 
seems to transmit the infection. It cannot really be explained 
how the infection is carried. It may be from the pus or it may 
be from the expired air or discharges of the diseased animal. 

Etiology. — The streptococcus equi is the cause. The period 
of incubation is from one to two weeks. 

Semeiology. — There is at first a high fever which is soon fol- 
lowed by loss of appetite and swellings around the throat and 



168 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

branches of the lower jaw. The abscesses may be numerous or 
few, large or small. Regularly they occur around the head and 
throat. If the retropharyngeal glands are involved the dyspncea 
may be dangerous and death from asphyxiation occur. The 
mortality is not high. About 99 out of a 100 recover, but occa- 
sionally one will die. The death depends a great deal upon the 
environment and the weather. Wet and cold are unfavorable to 
the sick animal. 

Strangles usually starts from the nose and there may be 
some cough. At first the pulse is rapid but in a few days it 
becomes weak. The mucous membranes become injected and 
if the abscesses occur around the throat and maxillary glands the 
deglutition is apt to be interfered with. In a few days they will 
rupture spontaneously unless they are too deep-seated. Then 
the fever subsides, the appetite returns and rapid recovery takes 
place. The temperature may start out at 106 but in 4 days 
go down to 104, at which place it stays until the abscess rup- 
tures, when it returns to normal. 

In the irregular form the character of the fever is the same 
but the abscesses form somewhere else than around the throat, 
either internally or externally. They are often seen in the spleen 
and lymph glands and the pectoral and inguinal branches of the 
lymphatic ducts. They may break out about the legs. If the 
abscesses are superficial and can be opened or ruptured the animal 
will make a good recovery, but if the abscesses follow one another 
then the animal may not get well for six or eight months. If 
they rupture internally the case may be fatal. The pericardium 
and occasionally the heart itself is often the site of these ab- 
scesses. They occur on the pleura and rupture into the pleural 
cavity. 

Treatment. — Strangles must run its course — it cannot be 
aborted. Rational treatment will help to produce a favorable ter- 
mination. In this and every other febrile disease the patient 
should be housed and kept warm. Let the food be laxative. 
Crushed scalded oats and salt are good. Apply linseed poultices 
to the abscesses to soften them and repeat the application night 
and morning. Open the abscesses, do not let them rupture. 
They should be opened 3 or 4 days after they start. Syringe 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 169 

them out and still keep on the poultice. This will hasten the 
recovery. After 2 or 3 days remove the poulticing but cover the 
sore if the weather necessitates it. If dyspnoea is accentuated, 
perform tracheotomy. 

As to medicine, give quinine and whisky every 4 hours. If 
the temperature is around 104 or 105 give small doses of aceta- 
nilid. Keep the temperature at 104 or less. As soon as the ab- 
scess has been opened or ruptured put the patient on tincture 
of iron. For the irregular case, if you can make a positive diag- 
nosis, give quinine and whisky, but if the case runs for a long time 
use anti-streptococcus serum. This may effect a recovery. It 
would be a good plan to give all suspected cases a prophylactic 
dose of the serum. 

Post mortem reveals nothing more than the abscesses. 



BURSATTI. 

Bursatti is the name of a disease which produces inflamma- 
tory swellings in the skin with raw suppurating surfaces. These 
are called cankers. The name "bursatti" is derived from an 
East Indian word meaning rain, and the disease is spoken of as 
rain sores. Up to the present time it has proven to be incur- 
able. It may yield for a time but the cankers will return. The 
disease is found mostly in the South and the outbreaks occur 
in the summer. It is not considered contagious, but rather infec- 
tious. The inflammation is located in the subcutaneous tissue 
and the tumors may be found in the internal organs. Inoculation 
with the serum from the ulcers does not seem to produce the 
disease. The cause of it is not really known. It is believed to 
arise from filth. It seems to occur in horses which have not 
been kept clean and whose harnesses have never been cleaned. 
The harness rubs against the skin until the surface is raw and an 
ulcer forms. If the ulcer heals it will eventually return. This 
condition interferes with the welfare of the animal and he runs 
down in flesh, getting thin and worthless. In India it is con- 
sidered a hereditary disease and animals so affected are con- 
demned for breeding purposes. The raw surfaces of these ulcers 



170 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

itch a great deal and the itching seems to be around the outside 
of the ulcer, which is slightly raised. Two or three of these 
ulcers will start in the same region and by spreading they will 
join together. 

Treatment. — The hygiene is considered important. See that 
everything is cleaned up and prevent the harness from rubbing 
the skin. The horse should have a liberal diet and be fed on 
good nutritious food. Prevent the horse from scratching or bit- 
ing the raw surfaces if possible. If called early extirpate the 
inflammatory area if it is not too large. In addition to this give 
rational treatment. The sores of bursatti are similar to the so- 
called summer sores although there is a distinction. Neither 
will endure winter. 

The following is a summer sore lotion which seems to be 
effectual in some cases : 

n 

Spts. Vini Recti drams xiss 

Acetic Acid drams iss 

Phenol (liquid) drams ivss 

Eucalyptol M ij 

Caramel grains iss 

Aqua q. s ounces iv 

M. Sig. — Apply to sore 3 times daily with soft 
brush or swab. 

To prepare dissolve the eucalyptol in the alcohol ; dissolve the 
caramel in H 2 O, then add the acetic acid and phenol and shake. 

BOTRYOMYCOSIS. 

Closely related to bursatti is the disease called botryomycosis 
and it is often difficult to differentiate them. In botryomycosis 
the tumors which go on to ulceration are due to the invasion of a 
micrococcus called the botroyomyces. The tumors which are 
formed are inflammatory growths, often of very large size. 
Scirrhous cord may be caused by this microbe. The tumors 
should be removed with a knife and all the parts of the growth 
thoroughly cut out as the botryomyces invade the outer zone of 
the tissue. In the discharge from the abscess colonies of the 
microbe may be found but these are the older organisms and are 
not as active as those in the outer parts of the tumor. The knife 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 171 

seems to be the only treatment, although the summer sore lotion 
has been tried with some results. The knife should always be 
applied to scirrhous cord. 

CORN STALK DISEASE. 

Horses and cattle die from a disease known as corn stalk 
disease when turned into a stalk field in December and January. 
In these months the disease seems to be prevalent. The animals 
eat the nubbins and stalks and suddenly they come down with 
an affliction and next morning are found dead. It is supposed 
that they get the disease from the corn stalks. Animals that get 
a mild attack do not die so early but become delirious or at other 
times may become stupid and finally die in a comatose con- 
dition. This shows that the disease is due to some toxin. All 
animals which contract the disease die from it sooner or later. 

SURRA. 

Surra is a constitutional disease of the infectious type. The 
infection is not carried from animal to animal but is due to the 
introduction into the animal of a hsematozoon known as the try- 
panosoma Evansi. This parasite has a long whip-like body with 
a tail something like a flagellum. The parasite was discovered 
by Evans. The organisms are taken into the body through the 
medium of the food and water. The disease affects the horses 
usually in the low, swampy regions. It is called trypanosomiasis. 
From the alimentary tract the parasite enters the blood and more 
or less disorganizes it, producing great debility, emaciation, fever, 
capricious appetite and finally death through syncope and col- 
lapse in from 6 weeks to 6 months. 

Post Mortem. — There are no post mortem lesions found. 
There is a disease found in the northwestern part of this country 
and in Canada and Montreal called Swamp fever or Swamp dis- 
ease. It has the symptoms of surra but the tyrpanosome has 
not been found in the blood nor are the lesions at post specific. 
Surra is very prevalent in the Phillipine Islands. 



172 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



Treatment. — No known therapeutic treatment has had any 
effect so that preventive measures are the only ones which can 
be counted on. Keep the horses on high land or drain the low 
swampy places. If the horse takes the disease this can be rec- 
ognized by the peculiar symptoms. The animal will run down 
rapidly and in a few weeks generally dies. It is presumed that 
the trypanosomata are excreted in the feces and urine and these 
products should therefore be taken care of as far as possible or 
else the animal killed. 

INFLUENZA. 

The word influenza comes from the Latin word meaning ''in- 
fluence." The disease was so named in human medicine on ac- 
count of the influence the planets are supposed to have upon the 
atmospheric conditions and the resultant changes upon the ani- 
mal life on the earth. No disease spreads so rapidly as in- 
fluenza. The especial cause has been attributed to several differ- 
ent micro-organisms. Pfeiffer isolated a bacillus which he 
thought was the specific cause and called it by his own name. 
Kitasato and Canon corroborated Pfeiffer's discovery. Ehrlich 
claimed that the germ was a streptococcus. Influenza is recog- 
nized today as a contagious disease but the means of communi- 
cation are not known, probably it is through the alimentary tract. 
The germs may be taken into the respiratory tract first and then 
when expelled, lodge in the pharynx and are swallowed. It is 
thought that horses get the disease from eating and drinking 
from common receptacles. It is a good plan to have their drink- 
ing water constantly running and this will carry away any 
foreign matter that may accumulate. The disease is not at- 
mospheric but it travels along the lines of commerce. The at- 
mosphere may influence to the extent that a decrease in ozone 
will produce depression while an increase in the ozone stimulates 
the animal. 

Influenza is a blood disease and it produces catarrhal dis- 
charges from all the mucous membranes. 

Semeiology. — The disease presents different symptoms ac- 
cording to whether it is involved with complications or not. The 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 173 

symptoms of the uncomplicated form of the disease are as fol- 
lows : Great nervous depression- and languor with high fever. 
During the first twenty-four hours the fever is about 106 and 
then it falls to 105 or 103. The animal is inclined to lie down 
more or less, his legs swell and he generally loses his appetite. 
After twenty-four hours there is a profuse discharge from the 
nose and after forty-eight hours a marked loosening of the 
bowels. The inflammation sometimes attacks the urinary appa- 
ratus and produces profuse micturition. If the animal is not 
well blanketed his coat stares, breathing is accelerated and the 
mucous membranes are injected. The head hangs, the ears and 
the eyelids droop. In the corners of the eye is coagulated 
mucous. Often the throat is sore and there is a troublesome 
cough. This cough is inclined to remain with the animal and 
become chronic. It is thought by some that this disease produces 
roaring and this cannot be disputed. 

In the uncomplicated case the fever generally goes down to 
normal in three or four days and the appetite is regained and 
the animal makes a good recovery in from five to ten days. The 
discharge subsides and the animal seems to be none the worse 
for the attack. It is thought that one attack renders the animal 
immune for at least six months. 

The complications of influenza involve the lungs in the form 
of broncho-pneumonia, which is always of the contagious va- 
riety and the symptoms are those of a grave pneumonia ; the bow- 
els are beginning with constipation and ending with diarrhoea, the 
symptoms being rapid exhaustion, loss of appetite and exacer- 
bation of fever — animal dies in 5-10 days if recovery does not 
take place; the brain in which there is first a period of excite- 
ment and then one of profound coma, the animal finally dying 
of spasms of the lungs or of heart failure ; the feet are hot to the 
touch and after a given time the depressed convex sole of a typ- 
ical founder can be recognized. 

Diagnosis. — The diagnosis of influenza is based upon the con- 
tinued fever, with great depression and symptoms of stupor and 
coma; the rapidly developing, dark colored mucous membranes, 
swelling of the legs and genitals. The evidence of colic and con- 
gestion which is followed by diarrhcea indicates a complication 



174 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

of enteritis. The diagnosis of brain trouble is based upon the 
excessive violence which interrupts the otherwise continual stu- 
por of the animal. 

Prognosis. — Influenza is a serious disease principally on ac- 
count of the complications. Uncomplicated influenza is only 
fatal in 1/5 per cent of the cases. 

Treatment. — While the appetite remains the patient should 
have a moderate quantity of hay, good oats and bran; or even 
a little fresh clover, if obtainable, can be given in small quan- 
tities. The sick horse should be placed in a well-ventilated stall. 
To reduce the temperature inject quantities of cold water into 
the rectum. Antipyrene may be used with alcohol or strychnine. 
The congestion of the internal organs can be relieved by poultic- 
ing and hot water applications, after which the patient must be 
blanketed. Iodide of potash reduces the excessive nutrition of 
the congested organs and thereby reduces the temperature. This 
drug also acts as a diuretic. Small doses of Glauber's salts and 
bicarbonate of soda used from the outset will prevent constipa- 
tion and its evil results. If founder occurs, it is difficult to 
treat. When recognized, bleeding and hot and cold applications 
are the most useful. 

PURPURA HAEMORRHAGICA. 

Purpura hemorrhagica (French, anasarca) is frequently one 
of the sequelae of influenza. It is an infectious disease though 
not contagious. There is a difference of opinion as to the spe- 
cific germ of this disease. Tizzoni, in 1889, found a bacillus 
which he considered the specific germ. Robes corroborated it 
in 1890 and Kolt in 1891. After this Marmorek of the Pasteur 
Institute claimed that the streptococcus was the cause. Al- 
though the disease may follow influenza yet it may often de- 
velop and run its course as an original disease. 

This disease is characterized by the destruction of the blood 
elements on a large scale. The blood becomes thin and oozes 
out through the pores into dependent parts by diapedesis ; it may 
be circumscribed or diffused when it produces purple spots 
(petechias) or patches (ecchymoses). 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



175 



already spoken of. It occurs as an original disease in badly ven- 
tilated and badly drained stables or as a sequel of debilitating 
fevers. 

Symptoms. — The fever is regular and quite persistent at 104. 
The legs swell and when the swelling gets above the knees and 
hocks it terminates abruptly. The swelling creeps higher and 
higher and in three or four days the lips begin to swell and the 
eyes become bloated. There is also a pendulous swelling under 
Ihe abdomen. Early in the disease the mucous membranes are 
ecchymotic, the spots varying in size from %. to ^ inch in 
diameter. They may be seen on all the mucous membranes. 

In some severe cases there is a fetid discharge from the nose. 
The mouth fills with a ropy saliva. A yellowish, gummy liquid 
comes out through the skin on the legs and trickles down the 
hair. The swelling is so great as to prevent the horse from eat- 
ing and it diminishes the caliber of the air passage and causes 
wheezy breathing. 

When the symptoms develop as above described the horse 
usually dies within 5-15 days. The five-day course accompanies 
the disease of an original lesion; the fifteen days course is the 
result of some other previous disease. The kidneys are usually 
depressed and toward the latter end of the disease the horse may 
have diarrhoea and colics. 

Post Mortem. — Upon opening the body we find ecchymotic 
extravasations everywhere, especially on the mucous membranes. 
In addition there is more or less general infiltration. All parts 
are oedematous. The large bowels will show quite a liquid con- 
dition of the contents, which are bloody. The blood itself is thin 
and coagulates very slowly. 

Treatment. — The serum treatment would be the best for its 
action upon the blood would kill the germs. Marmorek man- 
ufactured a serum which has been used with good results in some 
cases and in others not. Use antiseptics and stimulants inter- 
nally. Bichromate of potassium in one to three grain doses in 
one or two ounces of water given 2-3 times a day will tend to 
destroy the germs in the blood. In connection with this use 
tincture of iron and sweet spirits nitre in liberal doses. Some 
add a little quinine. The prescription is as follows : 



176 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

Tr. Ferri. Chlo ounce ij 

Quinini Sulph dram iv 

Spts. Nit. Ether ounce iv 

Aqua q s pint 3 

M. Sig. — Give 2 ounces every 4 hours in a moder- 
ate case, but if the case is bad give it every 
2 hours. 

In addition to this give the bichromate. Do not give a febri- 
fuge. 

The iron has double action as it helps make the red blood 
corpuscles regenerate and tends to limit the hemorrhage by its 
astringent action upon the blood vessels. 

If the muzzle begins tc swell bathe it with hot water. In 
a bad -case keep a man at this treatement all the time, night and 
day. The hot water drives the liquid blood to some other part 
where it is not so dangerous. Never tap the horse as sloughing 
will follow. The fluid will not flow out. In case the dyspnoea 
interferes with the respiration perform tracheotomy, but an 
operation upon a horse with purpura is apt to be dangerous and 
fatal. Keep the horse quiet and feed him generously with oats, 
corn, bran, etc. All mild cases recover, but 40-60 per cent of the 
cases are fatal. 

SCARLATINA. 

Scarlatina is a very contagious infectious disease closely re- 
lated to purpura, but it has some prominent differentiating fea- 
tures. Some have thought it a milder form of purpura but they 
have over-looked important features. Scarlatina comes on of- 
tener as an original disease than purpura. In scarlatina the 
hemorrhage is in the form of petechias and the blood spots are 
scarlet, while in purpura they are purple. In scarlatina there 
is always some sore throat, in purpura never. The swellings in 
scarlatina are usually in patches and lumps usually on the trunk, 
while in purpura the legs swell and also the abdomen. Tlie 
■swellings are smooth while in scarlatina they are lumpy. In 
scarlatina the lymphatic glands suppurate, while in purpura they 
never do. In both diseases the fever and pulse are about the 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



177 



same. Animals usually recover from scarlatina while in purpura 
many die. 

Treatment. — A case of scarlatina is apt to hang on for two 
or three weeks without any change, while a case of purpura gets 
better or worse within a week. In scarlatina we have to treat 
the sore throat. Put counter-irritants and bandages on the throat 
and use such antiseptics as guaiacol. Give quinine in larger 
doses than for purpura. Give iron gargle for the throat and 
keep the horse mildly stimulated with nitrous ether. In some 
bad cases the throat ulcerates and then it is a good plan to swab 
the throat with nitrate of silver. Use the swab on the end of a 
long stick. 

Scarlatina in the horse seems to conform with scarlet fever 
in the human but purpura has no similarity whatever. So far as 
the relationship between scarlatina and purpura is concerned 
it is found that scarlatina runs into purpura before death, but 
this does not necessarily mean that the two diseases are the same. 
It is seldom that animals die from scarlatina. 

Post Mortem. — In scarlatina there is an absence of the gen- 
eral infiltration that is seen in purpura. There is difference 
enough to warrant us in saying that the two diseases are not the 
same. 

RHEUMATISM. 

Rheumatism is a non-contagious disease that arises in the 
body and it is specific. It is a very peculiar constitutional disease. 
Its real character is not known, but old theories attribute it to an 
excess of some natural acid in the blood, such as lactic acid, 
uric acid, etc. This is evidence of indigestion and in every case 
of rheumatism we can trace the condition back to some form of 
stomach disturbance. In herbivora we have more hippuric acid 
than in other animals and if this runs to excess we are apt to get 
rheumatism. 

Rheumatism is divided into various classes according to the 
part affected. For instance, we have rheumatic fever. In such 
a case the whole system is affected and there is no localization of 
the affection. It is generally fatal if the animal is not very 



178 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

strong. Death comes either from endocarditis or from valvulitis 
or both. Occasionally it is due to pericarditis. Another form 
of the disease is found in the localization of the trouble in the 
loin and it is then called lumbago. When it attacks the nerves 
it is called neuralgia. The nerve usually affected is the trifacial 
nerve. If the disease locates in the muscles it is called muscular 
rheumatism. Sometimes it attacks the sciatic nerve and then it is 
sciatica. When it attacks the joints it is called articular rheu- 
matism. The disease is inclined to attack the synoval membranes 
of the joints and tendons and it frequently jumps about from one 
place to another and is called flying rheumatism or metastatic 
rheumatism. It does not seem to leave the part of the body first 
affected. 

Rheumatism may be either acute or chronic. 

There are some who do not consider rheumatism to be a 
specific disease, but claim that it is only a shield for some other 
condition. Sir Richard Critcherson found that by injecting a 
dog with lactic acid he could produce rheumatism. Many are 
now looking for the specific germ of rheumatism. The disease 
is, probably, largely hereditary. The exciting cause may be due 
to faulty assimilation as is seen in dogs fed on meat only. In 
some cases it occurs without any apparent exciting cause but 
there is usually exposure to cold or damp. Animals that are left 
out in bad weather get rheumatism. 

Semeiology. — Rheumatic fever usually starts with a tempera 
ture of 104 or more but sometimes not over 103. A rheumatic 
animal is more or less stiff and not inclined to move. The ap- 
petite is good and does not vary much. The animal may or may 
not lie down. The pulse is increased in frequency and hard- 
ness. It runs about 45 to 60. 

The fever can be reduced with acetanilid but as soon as the 
drug is stopped the fever will come back again. If a little of the 
blood is drawn it will coagulate very quickly. After the dis- 
ease has been running for ten days or a few weeks the animal 
may die suddenly. Or if he lingers along he loses flesh. His 
legs swell and you get a jugular pulse. He may live in this con- 
dition for several weeks. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 179 

Post Mortem.— -Post mortem show that the trouble is in the 
heart, which may give evidence of endocarditis, valvulitis or 
pericarditis. In all cases the animal is liable to die suddenly 
from syncope. In inflammatory rheumatism the joints swell but 
never run to suppuration unless bruised. The parts are sore and 
produce great lameness. If left to run its own course the in- 
flammation is apt to run five or six weeks. It usually leaves the 
joints permanently enlarged, especially if in the hock. Metastatic 
or flying rheumatism is inclined to attack the sheaths of the 
tendons in the legs. The disease migrates from one leg to an- 
other but is usually constant. The horse never recovers and 
has what is called chronic rheumatism. 

Sciatica comes on suddenly. The horse steps short with the 
affected legs and does not want to be pulled back; the act of 
backing up seems to cause muscular pressure and it consequently 
causes pain. If he is made to back up he will carry the leg that 
is affected with rheumatism. Upon manipulating the sciatic 
nerve you can detect the soreness. In neuralgia rheumatism at- 
tacks the fifth nerve. The horse will hold his head tipped more 
or less and there is twitching of the facial muscles and partial 
closing of the eye. The horse is disinclined to move and shows 
many evidences of distress. Pressure upon the part will cause 
him to wince. Neuralgia is not very common in the horse. 

Lumbago. — When this condition attacks a horse he will show 
stiffness, will turn with difficulty and will not move readily. His 
back will be arched. 

Semeiology. — The symptoms of lumbago are well marked in 
the dog. The subacute form sometimes attacks the intercostal 
muscles and is called pleurodynia. It closely resembles pleurisy 
but in pleurodynia there is no fever and auscultation reveals no 
friction sound. It resembles pleurisy in its fixed condition of 
the ribs, soreness of the intercostal muscles, careful breathing, 
turning out of the elbows, etc. 

A subacute attack in the muscles of the neck seems to cause 
contraction of the neck muscles so that the head is turned to 
one side. On the concave side of the neck the muscles stand 
out prominent and are called the cords of "torti colis." 

In muscular rheumatism the horse has a stiff action and is dis- 



180 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

inclined to move. He has probably been exposed to cold drafts 
and consequently caught cold in his muscles. 

Rheumatism is not fatal unless it attacks the heart, which 
it does in two forms. When the spasmodic pain attacks the 
heart it is called angina pectoris. In the human there is the sen- 
sation of suffocation. The presumption is that if the heart is 
interfered with it may produce death or spasm of the heart but 
this cannot be detected in the horse. 

Acute rheumatism in the form of rheumatic fever is never 
fatal unless it attacks the heart. In this case only a few cases 
recover. 

Subacute or Chronic. — From what is known we find that this 
form of rheumatism generally attacks young animals. When it 
attacks older animals it is more mild. The attacks are painful, 
but not dangerous. The synovial membranes may become af- 
fected but when the disease locates in the muscles it usually be- 
comes chronic. In old horses it may cause sudden and severe 
lameness which may leave in a few minutes, or it may last hours. 
In dissecting a case like this you will find calcareous deposits in 
the joints or in the synovial membranes. It is supposed that this 
calcified fringe gets in between the two bearing surfaces and 
causes the lameness. If the horse is compelled to proceed the de- 
posit is pushed back in place and the lameness ceases. 

Torti colis may be caused by violence and rupture of the lig- 
amentous attachment to cervical vertebra on one side of the 
neck and this makes the head turn in the opposite direction. In 
the very young animals this can be cured by means of splints 
on the neck. 

Treatment of the Acute. — In rheumatism there is an un- 
healthy condition of the blood. Therefore antiseptics are indi- 
cated with the general idea of increasing the alkalinity of the 
blood and of changing the urine from acid to alkaline. Particu- 
lar attention should be paid to the digestion. Salines are effectual. 
Salicylate of soda should be given in liberal doses. Give three 
dram doses every hour night and day for ten to fifteen days in 
order to get the desired effect. The best treatment known is 
salicylate alkaloid of oil of wintergreen (aspirin), but this is 
very expensive. The human dose is five grains every four hours, 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 181 

Other salines are nitrate of potash, one dram three times a 
day, sulphate of magnesium and all of the laxative salts, iodide of 
potash, vegetable alteratives, etc. 

The following is good treatment: 

Sodii Salicyl ounce vi 

Fl. Ex. Colchici .. ounce ij 

- Aqua qs. ad pint ij 

M. Sig. — 2 ounces every 4 hours night and day. 

The first remedy you adopt should be used for about ten 
days and then switch to some other. An acute case seems to run 
a course of about six weeks. If you have been using the pre- 
scription given above then change to sulphate of magnesium. 

It is useless to apply stimulating liniments. An application 
of chloroform for a few minutes, which is allowed to evaporate, 
will allay the pain. The following is a good liniment : 

Tr. Arnica 
Tr. Aconite 

Tr. Opii aa ounce j 

Chloroform dram j 

Aqua qs ad ounce viii 

In all acute cases of lameness and swelling a fly blister is very 
beneficial. 

LYMPHANGITIS. 

This is an inflammation of the lymphatic ducts. Lymphadenitis 
is inflammation of the lymphatic glands. There are three forms 
of lymphangitis, plethoric, acute and septic. Epizootic, acute 
plethoric form, develops suddenly in horses that are plethoric and 
yet are doing no work. The plethroic condition of the horse while 
at rest is the etiological factor in the case. It comes on in horses 
that are very high fed and worked heavily. It may attack any 
part of the body but generally the hind legs. Sometimes the for- 
ward legs. It is usually found in the morning after a day of rest, 
such as Monday, for instance. This disease is called by some 
Monday morning sickness. In Scotland it is called the "weed," 
In England it is called the "shot of grease" or the "shakes." The 
affected lymphatics swell and become inflamed. 

Pathogenesis. — The blood is plethoric and the lymphatic ducts 



182 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

become congested on account of overwork. We presume that in 
such a case the metabolism during the forty-eight hours previous 
to the attack has been great, thus producing debris enough to clog 
the lymphatic ducts. This seems to act much the same as active 
congestion in altering the nutrition of the part. The inflammation 
may be so severe as to run into the third stage and may result in 
an abscess. 

The more modern hypothesis is' that it is always due to infec- 
tion through some obscure abrasion in the affected leg. 

Symptoms. — If the horse is in a warm stable then he will be 
found with a chill, which is sometimes very severe. The severity 
of the attack depends upon the severity of this chill. In the 
course of a couple hours the doctor will be called and when he 
arrives he will find the horse lame in the hind legs, which are 
sore and hot. The temperature will be about 106. The swelling 
increases rapidly and runs down the inside of the leg and varies 
in size from the size of a finger to that of a wrist. By the end 
of the first day the whole leg becomes involved from the foot to 
the abdomen. When the inflammation subsides it will leave the 
leg large for at least ten days and sometimes permanently. An 
abscess may form as large as the fist and it may hold a quart 
or two of pus. During all this time the animal is off his feed. 
His appetite returns as the fever subsides. One attack pre- 
disposes an animal to another and each time the affected leg 
is left a little larger until the horse gets the chronic big leg, 
called Elephantiasis. This enlargement is fibroid all the way up 
the leg and it is incurable. If the inflammation is not fibroid in 
nature then exercise will help drive it away. 

Treatment. — If called to an acute case during the chill, treat 
it vigorously. Give aconite or potash every fifteen minutes until 
the horse begins to sweat and keep him well blanketed. Drop 
off the frequency of the dose as soon as the chill subsides. Give 
him aconite, spirits of nitrous ether, nitrate of potash and water. 
Give these every hour and then take off some of the blankets. 
In addition to this give a full purgative dose of aloes and dose 
with acetanilid every hour for four hours. The dose should be 
governed by the weight of the horse and the height of the 
fever. Keep up the fever mixture until diurssis is produced and 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



183 



then drop off to every four hours and then to three times a day. 
As soon as the treatment has been started, have a man bathe the 
legs of the animal with hot water. Take care that the water 
is not too hot, for it will scald the legs. The water should be 
115 degrees. The bathing -should be done three times a day, 
about an hour at each time. It is very important to have the 
affected leg warm and well wrapped. If this treatment is per- 
sisted in the swelling will go down and the fever will subside. 
Continue until the leg is reduced one-half. The animal should 
not be fed for forty-eight hours. After the leg begins to get 
better exercise should begin. Walk him around in a warm place, 
each time increasing the exercise, commencing with about ten 
minutes. If the case comes to you neglected, then the treatment 
is different. Give him purgatives but do not bathe. Leave out 
the ether and acetanilid. Give him potash and exercise him. 
If the swelling can be driven out the case is curable, otherwise 
not. 

Stallions and jacks have sores in the form of eczema which 
come from lymphangitis. The sore starts with a small pimple 
which itches. The horse either bites or scratches the place until 
it becomes raw and granulates and has a tendency to spread. The 
treatment consists in removing the cause. If feeding is the 
cause, lessen it and substitute bran. Give a mild purgative. A 
large stallion should not get more than seven drams for a pur- 
gative dose. Stallions cannot stand as much as a working horse. 
Give a purgative once a month and between the purgations give 
sulphate of sodium night and morning. For local treatment mild 
applications are the best. If much granulation tissue forms 
around the sore it must be removed with the knife and then ap- 
ply zinc lotion once or twice a day. Rub the sore gently to re- 
move the loose scabs. Jack sores are more difficult to heal. 

EPIZOOTIC LYMPHANGITIS. 

This is a new disease in some parts of the world and old in 
others. It is caused by a fungus called the saccharomyces far- 
ciminosus. The disease is also called ulcerative lymphangitis. 
It is communicable in many cases by contact. 



184 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

The fungus can grow in the horse and in the mule. After it 
enters the wound it begins to grow slowly and soon starts up an 
inflammation (in three weeks to three months) and a nodule 
forms under the skin with hardening and thickening of the sur- 
rounding lymphatics ducts and glands. The nodule softens, rup- 
tures and discharges pus and an indolent ulcer forms. It usually 
occurs on one leg, may be on two and it may occur on any part 
of the body. The poison is carried from this point and it may 
break out anywhere. When it attacks the leg it involves the 
whole leg from the foot to the body. A few cases recover spon- 
taneously and many are curable by proper treatment if applied 
early. The rest continue to grow worse. Inasmuch as the pus 
carries the germ the disease is liable to spread to other animals. 
It is fatal in ten to fifteen per cent of cases. The pus is yellow 
or grayish yellow and is often mixed with blood. Sometimes 
it contains flukes. 

The first symptom is an indurant sore covered with pus and 
a scab surrounded by a slightly swollen area with radiating lines 
of discharge running from it. The ulcers heal and recur and 
the skin becomes thickened. The ulcers sometimes occur on the 
conjunctiva and also on the Schneiderian membrane. The af- 
fected horse does not show any constitutional disturbance unless 
the case is very advanced. . This disease may be mistaken for 
glanders or farcy. In glanders or farcy the mallein test is posi- 
tive, the pus is oily or glutinous and the ulcers are cup-shaped. 
In lymphangitis the mallein test is negative, likewise the Strauss 
test and the agglutination test, the pus is thick and creamy, the 
ulcers are flat and show more granulations, and the nodules are 
less firmly attached to the skin and more movable than in glan- 
ders. There is an absence of the bacillus malleus and the pres- 
ence of the specific fungus, the saccharomyces farciminosus. 

Treatment. — If the case is gotten early enough remove all the 
tissue involved with the knife. If removal is impracticable open 
the abscesses and treat antiseptically. Bichloride 1-250 or 
Lugol's solution or a solution of formaldehyde 1-200 are ap- 
propriate antiseptics. 

All advanced cases should be destroyed. 






OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 185 

AZOTURIA. 

Azoturia is a non-contagious blood disease of the plethoric 
type. It is almost if not entirely peculiar to horses. It may ex- 
ist in the human. The disease is characterized by sudden pros- 
tration and if the animal is down he is usually unable to rise. 
Azoturia invariably follows exercise after a period of enforced 
idleness and continued high feeding on such food as oats. In 
such a case an excess of nitrogen is probably developed in the 
system and the excretory organs cannot take care of all the ex- 
tra waste material. It occurs in all ages and breeds, in both 
sexes. We find it more common in half breed draft horses than 
in full blooded animals, probably because the half breed is more 
violent than the other in his exercise after a period of idleness. 

Etiology. — Azoturia is due to idleness, high feeding and then 
exercise. The resulting condition is called plethora. The animal 
gets itchy and sometimes he gets down and becomes caught in 
some way or other and in his efforts to get up he exercises so 
violently as to bring on the disease. In case of indigestion from 
idleness if colic pains arise, the struggles of the animal may 
bring on an attack of azoturia. If a horse is to be cast for an 
operation and has not been prepared by dieting, his struggles in 
the apparatus may bring on an attack of azoturia. If a highly 
fed animal is idle he will become plethoric. All of the organs 
become sluggish in action and the blood becomes rich in solids 
at the expense of the watery constituents. The animal becomes 
indolent and his circulation is interfered with. When he be- 
gins to exercise again the circulation increases, the pulse in some 
cases running up to 60 ; he feels good and takes very active ex- 
ercise, and as a result of this exercise there is tissue metamor- 
phosis. The waste material produced in the system is nitrogen. 
Every contraction of the muscles separates the nitrogen from the 
tissues. The muscles get their nitrogen from certain kinds of 
food. The surplus nitrogen must be eliminated from the system 
by the kidneys or it will poison the blood. . The kidneys excrete it 
in the form of urea. The surplus water and salts in the blood of 
a plethoric animal can be gotten rid of through other channels but 
the kidneys must take care of the excess of nitrogen. The thick 



186 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

blood cannot circulate so freely through the organs and we get a 
capillary stasis, the kidneys become congested and there is an im- 
paction of the capillaries with blood. This interferes with the 
action of the kidneys and the coloring matter of the blood is 
forced out into the urine, giving it the dark color which we see 
in the urine of azoturia. 

The action of the kidneys may be so disturbed that there is 
total suppression of the urine and the horse may die in two 
hours; but if the kidneys are partially active then the life of the 
animal is prolonged. When he recovers, it is because the kid- 
neys are restored to their normal activity, but if he dies it is 
because the kidneys cannot eliminate the urea and uraemic poi- 
soning takes place. Uraemic blood poisoning is the immediate 
cause of death. Other organs are congested as well as the kid- 
neys, the lungs especially. As the animal goes down he gives 
way to a peculiar motor paralysis of the muscles, due to mus- 
cular congestion. This congestion causes pressure upon the 
nerves of the trunk and the muscles become paralyzed. The 
muscles most often affected are the gluteal, posterior portion of 
the dorsal and the anterior crural region. The congestion of these 
muscles is often so severe as to interrupt the circulation and a 
cassation of the muscle activity takes place, leading to atrophy. 
When the congestion is very tense with little swelling, the muscles 
get hard and the pressure upon the nerves is severe and often 
fatal. Usually, but not always, the hind parts are affected, more 
often the left hind quarter. 

Post Mortem. — Where death sets in soon after congestion, 
we shall find the muscles, particularly the affected ones, darker 
colored than normal. The heart is filled with black clots of 
blood ; the kidney and liver are soft and the kidneys may be 
gangrenous. There may be abscesses in the kidneys. The cere- 
bral meninges will be more or less congested with some effusion 
in the arachnoid space. The animal will be fat on the inside 
even if lean on the outside. If the blood is plethoric, the animal 
does not need to be fat in order to be predisposed to disease. 
Animals that are hard worked usually get an abundance of oats 
and they are the ones most apt to take the disease though the 
work may keep down the fat. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 187 

Semeiology. — When the horse is taken out after a period of 
idleness he feels good and dances around full of life. The dis- 
tance he will then be able to go depends upon the amount of ni- 
trogen set free by the muscular exertion. He may go one- 
fourth of a mile, he may go twenty miles, but he soon begins to 
sweat and blow. The blowing is due to congestion of the lungs, 
the sweating to congestion of the skin. He begins to look 
around, has an anxious countenance and gets lame in the hind 
quarter. The fetlock knuckles — that is the first symptom of the 
paralysis. The affected leg drags, he cannot bear any weight on 
it, then the other fetlock knuckles and that leg becomes helpless 
and all at once the horse is down. During this time the muscles 
of the back often swell hard as a board. The horse lies quiet for 
a time but colicky pains come on, he gets restless, the nerves 
become intensely excited, pulse tumultuous, weak, uneven, and 
finally dicrotic, and there is a convulsive motion of the limb. In 
the early stage you will not find any abnormal condition of the 
urine, but within an hour or two you will find it thick, and a 
dark coffee color. The color is due to the pigment set free from 
the blood; the thickness is clue to mucous. Sometimes it is so 
thick that it will not flow through the catheter, and you have to 
assist it by putting the hand in the rectum. The fever rises to 
103 or 104. Pain and nervousness cause him to make attempts 
to get up and he can get up upon his fore feet but his hind parts 
are helpless. He may walk on his front feet and drag his hind 
legs along for some distance. 

As the disease progresses and ursemic poisoning sets in the 
animal becomes delirious (the first effect of uraemia) and runs 
on to a comatose condition and finally death. Death usually oc- 
curs in convulsions. The mortality in the city is about 60 per 
cent. Death occurs in about 48 to 72 hours, though the disease 
often runs on to five or six weeks. Sometimes the urine contains 
tube' casts, haematin and haemoglobin. The tube casts indicate 
nephritis and in case of abscess there will be pus in it. In case 
of gangrene gas will bubble out through the catheter. 

In mild cases the symptoms are only partially developed. He 
may go down and get up again but there will be pain and lame- 
ness in one quarter, in that respect different from colic. The 



188 \ THEORY AND PRACTICE 

animal often gets well after lying down an hour or two. It seems 
that a three days' stay in the stable is worse than a three weeks' 
period of idleness, for in the longer time of rest the animal 
gradually loses the good appetite he had at first and consequently 
eats less and the system becomes used to the change. The cap- 
illaries become enlarged and can accommodate the larger amount 
of blood. 

Treatment. — Wherever you find the animal, draw ofl the 
urine to relieve the distress of an overfilled bladder. If he is 
nervous give him an ounce of fluid extract Gelsemium for the 
first dose and if a second is needed, a half ounce. It is doubtful 
if a purgative is needed, as there is already a lack of water in 
the system and a purgative would further reduce it. I never 
found much benefit in purgatives, though I usually give an aver- 
age dose of aloes. Diuretics are dangerous ; if the congestion is 
severe the diuretic will surely kill. The potassium diuretics are 
especially dangerous. Give a mild stimulant. 

Fl. Ex. Gelsemium ounces ij 

Potassium Bromide ounces ij 

Aqua qs ad pint i 

M. Sig. — Give a 2-ounce dose about every three 
hours. 

In addition to this Dr. Ellingwood suggests lithium citrate (1 
dram in water) every two or three hours for the first 50 or 60 
hours, then three times a day. 

For local treatment use hot fomentations. Wring out a rug 
in hot water and apply over the loins. Cover with water proof 
and then dry blankets. This keeps the steam in. During con- 
valescence give nux vomica. Remember that a horse's chances 
are much better for recovery if he is able to remain in the stand- 
ing position. If he cannot bear, about two-thirds of his own 
weight slings may be tried, but they usually aggravate the symp- 
toms. 

If the muscles waste in the hind quarter, treat by stimulating 
with setons. Put in three setons about two inches apart and 
leave them in about six weeks. Send the animal to pasture and 
give a good long rest. It may take six months for the animal to 
become strengthened again. If necessary you can medicate the 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 189 

setons with cantharides, turpentine, etc. Be sure to give gentle 
exercise. 

Although the urine is so dark colored and full of the coloring 
matters of the blood, yet a microscopical examination of a por- 
tion of it under the high power lens does not show any pigment 
crystals. Also an examination of the blood does not reveal any 
diagnostic features. The red blood corpuscles are normal in 
color and size and do not give evidence of having lost their con- 
stituents. In fact some authorities consider the pigment body 
which colors the urine to be directly a muscle element and not 
a blood. Muscle haemoglobin, however, has the same composi- 
tion as blood haemoglobin. 

Friedberger and Froehuer says that the blood in azoturia will 
show the haemoglobin crystals. 

Azoturia is a complex affection. It is rather a disease of the 
liver and blood forming functions than of the kidneys, although 
the vulgar idea is that the disorder is one of the urinary tract. 
It is. directly connected with a plethora in the blood of nitro- 
genized constituents with extreme nervous and muscular dis- 
order. The poisoning is not present when the animal is taken 
from the stable. It would seem as if the aspiratory power of the 
chest under the sudden exertion of the over-fed animal speedily 
drew from the liver and abdominal veins (portal system) the 
accumulated store of nitrogenous matter in an imperfectly oxi- 
dized or elaborated condition, and as if the blood surcharged 
with these materials was unable to maintain the healthy functions 
of the nerves and muscles. The pathology, however, is little 
understood. We must content ourselves for the present with 
theories. 



DISEASES OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM. 

There are three means of determining the diseases of the 
heart and blood vessels ; — inspection, palpation and auscultation. 
By inspection you detect any change in the position of the heart 
and the force of the heart beat can be determined. The char- 
acter and rhythm of the pulse you get by palpation. Ausculta- 



190 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

tion reveals the sound of the heart. The heart has a normal 
sound and any deviation from this can be detected, by ausculta- 
tion. 

The various phenomena of the heart diseases are (1) Lan- 
guor; (2) Lassitude, impeded respiration during the disease, 
often amounting to distressing dyspnoea; and (3) Condition of 
the visible mucous membranes. 

The diseases of the heart are divided into two classes, — func- 
tional and organic. The functional are acute and are three in 
number, palpitation (thumping), cyanosis (blue disease) and 
syncope (fainting fit). Spasm of the diaphragm, sometimes 
spoken of as thumps, is often mistaken for palpitation. The 
organic diseases of the heart are chronic or structural diseases. 



PALPITATION. 

Palpitation is the tumultuous action of the heart. It is a 
disturbance of the rhythmic action of the heart and is sometimes 
seen as a symptom of some other disease, for instance anaemia. 
Hard work often bring it on, especially on a hot day. It occurs 
through a disturbance of the equilibrium of the nervous system 
(sympathetic). When the condition comes through exertion, the 
animal is exhausted and the heart is over-taxed. The action of 
the nerves may be direct or reflex. Acute indigestion may cause 
thumps. This form of the disease may come on while the animal 
is standing quietly in the stable. 

Spasm of the diaphragm is caused by excitation of the phrenic 
nerve center and it is thought that this excitement is due to some 
form of indigestion. Too hard or too fast work after a full 
meal is apt to cause thumps and it may be mistaken for palpita- 
tion. It may sometimes develop without any apparent cause. 
The condition is seen most frequently in fast horses. If a horse 
comes in from a run with the thumps and in great distress, give 
him a dose of whisky and a full dose of aconite. He may re- 
cover in twenty minutes and he may be laid up for several days. 

Semeiology. — There is increased effort with decreased power 
of the heart. The pulse is irregular in every way. It is gen- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 191 

erally very rapid, say at seventy-five, but it is up and down and 
all around and the force of the beat is irregular. The result is 
passive congestion of the lungs and there- is rapid breathing with 
considerable dyspnoea in a bad case. No signs of pain especially, 
but the distress of the animal is great. There is a jugular puise, 
distension of the veins of the head and neck and the palpitation 
of the organ itself is sometimes so great as to shake the whole 
body. In hiccough there is sudden contraction of the diaphragm, 
which also gives an impulse to the body, but you cannot see 
the pounding of the heart on the ribs. Thumps are not as fre- 
quent as palpitation. You may get six impulses in a minute 
and on the other hand only one in the course of three minutes. 
In palpitation there is apt to be two or three a second. Thumps 
may stop any time, while in palpitation the thumps keeps up for 
one to two 1 hours to a day or two. In palpitation the blood ves- 
sels will be greatly dilated, while in thumps they will not. 

Treatment. — In all cases there should be perfect quiet. If 
the disease is due to organic disturbance of the heart's action 
then strong stimulants are indicated, such as alcohol, whisky, dig- 
italis (most important of all) and nitro-glycerine is often re- 
sorted to when the others fail. Tincture of cactus is good in the 
human when the palpitation is due to indigestion. If the palpi- 
tation is due to the disturbance of some other organ then the 
condition is reflex and it is necessary to treat the organ dis- 
turbed. In case of anaemia treat the blood ; in plethora and too 
much fat, give a purgative, reduce the feed and give more ex- 
ercise. The excited condition of the heart should also be treated. 
For this aconite is the best for it slows the heart without de- 
pressing it. Give about ten drops of the tincture of aconite with 
about seven drops of the extract. Give whisky also, a half pint 
for the first dose and then, if necessary, repeat in two ounce 
doses every fifteen minutes until the animal is relieved. After 
the attack is over then treat the cause. If the horse is suffering 
from nervous exhaustion then give cardiac stimulants, such as 
digitalis. Powdered digitalis and solid extract of belladonna are 
prescribed, twenty grains each, night and morning. If the blood 
is faulty give iron, 



192 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

CYANOSIS. 

Cyanosis is known as the blue disease. This occurs only 
in young animals, — those newly born. It is sometimes found in 
foals immediately after birth and is due to the non-closure of 
the foramen ovale between the two' auricles. This allows a mix- 
ture of the venous with the arterial blood in the left cavities of 
the heart. It is characterized by a dark purple or bluish color 
of the visible mucous membranes, shortness of breath and gen- 
eral feebleness. Foals thus affected generally live only a few 
hours after birth. If the young animal should live it would 
grow up very weak. This condition is often seen in babies — 
blue baby it is called and they may recover from good nursing. 
If they can be kept alive for eight or ten days they will get well. 

SYNCOPE. 

Syncope is fainting and when applied to the heart it means 
a fainting fit. The heart fails and loses its irritability and will 
not respond to the nerves. This causes the nerve centers to be 
anaemic and a consequent lack of blood to the brain. It rarely 
occurs among horses. The condition could be induced by a rapid 
and great loss of blood or by intense pain or by mechanical 
interference with the circulation of the brain. • ^ 

Uterine hemorrhage is a common cause of syncope in the 
human. Rapid breathing from the jugular produces it. You 
should be able to differentiate between syncope and apoplexy. 
Apoplexy is caused by hemorrhage into the brain while syncope 
is caused by a lack of blood or anaemia to the brain. In ' apo- 
plexy there is a purple appearance ; in syncope palor. 

Semeiology. — There may be a partial or total loss of con- 
sciousness; the pulse sinks rapidly and the animal drops to the 
ground. The surface of the body turns cold, the breathing is 
scarcely to be perceived, but the state lasts only a few minutes. 
If the case is attended with much hemorrhage it may be fatal. 
In paralysis of the heart the symptoms may be similar to those 
of fainting. In apoplexy there is more stertorous breathing 
than in syncope. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. f 193 

Treatment. — Dash cold water on the head. Lay the animal 
flat with his head as low as possible in order that the blood may 
flow into the brain with the least resistence. Do not let the 
animal get up too soon or else the attack may return. As soon 
as the consciousness returns give whisky or carbonate of am- 
monia. Then afterwards general tonics, rest, and nourishing 
foods are indicated. 



ACUTE INFLAMATORY DISEASES. 

This will embrace myocarditis, endocarditis and pericarditis. 
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the serous 
sack surrounding the heart; endocarditis is the inflammation of 
the serous lining of the heart, the endocardium; myocarditis is 
the inflammation of the muscle. 

Pericarditis runs about the same course as pleurisy ^ acute, 
with which it is often associated) and terminates in the same 
way with serous effusion into the pericardium, constituting hy- 
dropericardium, the same as hydrothorax. 

£ft'o/o#3'.— Pericarditis may be induced by cold, damp stabling, 
exposure and fatigue, wounds caused by broken ribs and blood 
contamination. Diseases that usually exist as complications are 
influenza, strangles, purpura hemorrhagica, pyaemia, rheumatism 
and probably most common of all is rheumatic fever. These 
diseases may cause the inflammation of the pericardium through 
the blood, but the inflammation can also extend to the heart by 
the inflamed adjacent tissues. 

Semeiology. — When arising as it most usually does from 
some previously existing fever, the symptoms of the original 
disease will be the most prominent. As the pericarditis devel- 
ops you will notice that the heart gets weaker and becomes ir- 
regular in rhythm and strength ; the heart then becomes so weak 
as to bring on distressing dyspnoea, such as seen in influenza and 
rheumatic fever. If the inflammation is not severe the effusion 
that follows will be small. The various stages will be like 
those of pleurisy, — first, congestion; second, inflammation; third, 
effusion. In case of extensive effusion the fluid often coagu- 



194 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

lates and coats the heart inside of the pericardium, and the layer 
may be a half inch thick. This causes the muscles of the heart 
to soften and weaken. The pulse gets weak, soft and fluttering 
and there is always considerable fever. This condition tends 
to dyspnoea and consequently a watery effusion increases in the 
sack. The dyspnoea is due entirely to the faulty thoracic circu- 
lation. In consequence of the altered circulation and passive 
congestion there is more or less exudation and the lungs become 
sufficiently involved to get a cough associated with the disease. 
With the increased weakness of the heart there will be cold- 
ness of the extremities, cedemic enlargements, loss of strength, 
final collapse and death. Even where the trouble is moderately 
severe it usually leaves a chronic lesion and affects the horse 
afterward. Clots may form in the posterior aorta and cause 
sudden death. 

Treatment. — If the condition can be diagnosed in the first 
stage depletion is indicated. You can give diuretics and qui- 
nine. Then after the first stage is passed stimulants are indi- 
cated, mild at first but increased as the weakness develops. If 
you let the heart get weak then the effusion will be greater, so 
you must keep up the heart. The heart in this condition is 
very susceptible and digitalis cannot be used in a mixture but 
must be given once every three hours alone, as the case requires. 
Counter-irritants to the left chest or hot fomentations are good 
for the heat allays the pain; cold will aggravate it. In the third 
stage cantharides to the left side can be applied as a vesicant. 
Give iron and stimulants to maintain a strong heart. Salol and 
quinine are also indicated. The salol is usually given in dram 
doses every three to six hours. Acetanilid can be given with it. 

But in spite of all you can do the animal as a rule dies and the 
autopsy shows serum in the pericardial sack and accumulations 
around the heart. 

ENDOCARDITIS. 

This is the inflammation of the endocardial lining of the 
heart. Associated with it is valvulitis, the inflammation of the 
valves of the heart. Endocarditis frequently occurs as a com- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 195 

plication of rheumatism. It is a more frequent disease of 
horses than is generally known and often gives rise to symptoms 
that are first obscure and unnoticed. In influenza we find the 
heart becoming involved in consequence of the morbid material 
conveyed through the heart by the blood stream. Septic dis- 
eases in any form may produce their evil effects upon the heart 
through the channel of the blood. 

In acute endocarditis we find the delicate, sensitive lining of 
the cavities roughened. Coagulation of fibrin may follow upon 
the inflamed surface and becomes deposited in shreddy-like gran- 
ular elevations. Fibrinous clots may form and early death re- 
sult. 

The subacute endocarditis is the most common form of the 
disease and it may not become appreciable for several days. 
It is usually confined to one or more anatomical divisions of the 
heart and all the successive morbid changes follow each other 
in comparatively slow processes. 

When vegetations form upon the inflamed membrane, por- 
tions are liable to break off and be carried elsewhere by the 
blood, thus constituting emboli, which are capable of suddenly 
plugging certain vessels and thereby interrupting important 
functions. In most cases of either acute or subacute cases of 
endocarditis the most alarming symptoms disappear in a week 
or ten days but they usually leave the heart in such an impaired 
condition that the circulation is abnormal for a long time after- 
ward. These changes usually consist of thickening or indura- 
tion of the membrane lining the cavities of the heart. Especially 
do these changes persist if the valves of the heart have been in- 
volved in inflammation. Even a slight attack of inflammation 
will render them less flexible than normal so that the free 
passage of the blood is interfered with and furthermore they 
cannot close up tightly so that some blood escapes at each con- 
traction. The resultant efforts of the heart to compensate this 
condition leads to hypertrophy of its walls, more particularly of 
the left wall, thereby producing fullness of the capillaries in 
the lungs, pressure upon the air cells, difficult or asthmatic 
breathing and in a few months complete disability. The weak 
heart and inability to work finally results in a dropsical condi- 



196 



THEORY aND PRACTICE 



tion of the extremities and passive congestion of the kidneys may 
follow. Valvular disease follows a large per cent of cases of 
acute endocarditis, which is of itself seldom fatal in its early 
stages. 

Semeiology. — There may be a chill with a sudden rise of tem- 
perature. The heart beats hard and the pulse is irregular. If 
the animal is compelled to trot there is evidence of great pain, 
difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. If the valves 
of the right side are affected we shall find a jugular pulse. The 
pulse is always fast. The animal is not disposed to eat much, 
the surface of his body is cold, mucous membranes may be 
purple and in nearly all cases there is suppression of the urin- 
ary secretion. In fatal cases death occurs about the fourth day. 

Endocarditis may be suspected in all cases where the symp- 
toms of cardiac affection are associated with rheumatism, in- 
fluenza or any septic matter. 

Endocarditis may be distinguished from pleuritis by the ab- 
sence of any friction murmur, absence of pain when the chest 
wall is percussed and the absence of effusion in the cavity of 
the chest. It may be differentiated from pericarditis by the ab- 
sence of friction sounds and want of an enlarged area of dull- 
ness on percussion. 

Treatment. — Blood-letting is contra-indicated. If you can 
purify the blood the heart may recover. Give antiseptics, such 
as salol, hyposulphite of soda, bicarbonate of soda. etc. To 
guard against the chronic induration of the valves give iodide 
of potash. This should be given in 1 to 2 dram doses early in 
the disease and may be repeated two or three times a day for 
several weeks. In all cases see to the hygiene — good nourishing 
food and warm quarters. Absolute rest is necessary. 

Endocarditis is usually fatal. In the autopsy there are black 
patches on the lining of the heart. These may extend around 
the valve. 

Acute valvular disease cannot be distinguished from endocar- 
ditis, and chronic valvular affections are generally the result oi 
endocardial inflammation. The valves of the left side are the 
ones most often affected, — the mitral and the aortic semilunar. 
The lesion may be mere inflammation and swelling or it may con- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 197 

sist of organized vegetations upon the surface of the valve. Ad- 
hesions may occur and the chordae tendinese may be shortened or 
lengthened. The fibrous tissue may become changed into carti- 
lage or bone or it may become the seat of lime deposits, resulting 
in ulceration, ruptures and fissures. If the heart dilates too much 
there may be atrophy and shrinking of the valves. 

Symptoms. — Valvular disease may be indicated by a venous 
pulse, by a jerking, irregular and intermittent pulse, by palpita- 
tion and dyspnoea, attacks of vertigo, congestion of the brain and 
dropsical swelling of the limbs. Hypertrophy and dilatation of 
the heart usually follow the valvular disease. 

Treatment. — When the pulse is irregular or irritable, iron, 
gentian and ginger may be given. For the jerky violent action of 
the heart give 20 to 30 drop doses of digitalis or of veratrum 
viride. The potassium iodide and general tonics are of tempor- 
ary benefit and stimulants should be given when the animal is 
weak. Very few animals recover and remain useful for any 
length of time when the valves of the heart have once been in- 
volved in organic disease. 

MYOCARDITIS. 

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle. This 
disease sometimes accompanies pyaemia and septicaemia. It can 
be traced to foreign bodies, especially in cattle. Foreign bodies 
may be swallowed and passed through the walls of the stomach 
into the muscle of the heart and there set up an inflammation. 
Strangles may cause this inflammation in the horse. It usually 
terminates fatally and at autopsy we find three or four abscesses 
in different parts of the body. 

The myositis is shown by the inability of the heart muscle to 
contract forcibly and it results in a weak, rapid, soft pulse with 
irregular heart sounds. The course of the disease is very rapid 
and terminates suddenly from paralysis or rupture of the heart. 

The heart muscle at post has a yellowish, boiled appearance 
and is so friable that it tears easily. Small abscesses may be 
scattered through it. If the disease is of long duration and be- 
comes chronic., the fibrous tissue may increase to great extent; 



198 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

extending through the muscle in every direction and largely re- 
placing it. This makes the wall of the heart very hard. 

Treatment. — Quiet is of the greatest importance. The animal 
should be kept in an airy stall, his legs should be well rubbed 
and bandaged with flannel. Aid the heart by the use of tonics 
and stimulants. Strychnine in 2-grain doses twice daily, whisky 
in 4-ounce doses every two to four hours and digitalis in 1-dram 
doses every three to six hours are indicated remedies. 

HYPERTROPHY AND ATROPHY. 

Hypertrophy of the heart means enlargement and it occurs 
with or without dilatation of the cavities. This unnatural con- 
dition may be general or local, over one ventricle or both or in- 
volving only part of one. It alters the shape of the heart, which 
has a much rounder appearance when hypertrophied. The left 
ventricle is the most likely to be involved, probably on account 
of the larger amount of work it has to do. The enlargement may 
be due to the dilatation of the cavities or it may be due to increased 
thickness of the walls. In draft horses both are likely to occur 
together. Ossification of the valves may occur. 

Simple hypertrophy is the condition in which the ventricular 
walls are thickened but the cavities are normal in size. 

Eccentric hypertrophy implies both the thickened walls and 
the dilated cavities. 

Concentric hypertrophy implies the thickened walls and the 
contraction of the cavities. 

Hypertrophy with dilatation is by far the most frequent form 
of cardiac enlargement. The heart may be three or four times 
its natural size. 

Etiology. — Long-continued, severe exertion is apt to cause car- 
diac enlargement, especially when associated with valvular dis- 
ease. The weakened valves prevent the systolic action of the 
heart from doing perfect work and the blood is not all pumped 
out of the ventricles. In diastole the new blood forced into the 
ventricles stays too much there and the efforts of the heart mub- 
cle to take care of it result in dilating the cavities. Mild inflam- 
mation is liable to produce simple dilatation, simple hypertrophy 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 199 

or eccentric hypertrophy, but the concentric hypertrophy follows 
over-exertion. The horse usually dies from some disease aggra- 
vated by the weak condition of the heart. 

Semeiology. — The heart gives a powerful, heaving impulse at 
each beat; pulse full and strong, except in simple dilatation, in 
which it gets weaker and weaker until severe dyspnoea results. 
If the pulse is small and feeble at the jaw we may conclude that 
there is some obstacle to the escape of the blood from the left 
ventricle into the aorta. 

Treatment. — Give the animal rest and keep from excitement. 
Digitalis, iodide of potassium and stimulants are indicated. 

-Atrophy is the contracting and wasting of the muscular sub- 
stance of the heart. The heart grows smaller and harder and 
the muscle fibers lose their striations. In the muscle protoplasm 
are to be found around the nuclei brown pigment granules and 
in severe cases the pigments may lie loose between the fibers. This 
condition is called brown atrophy of the heart. 

The chief symptom is weakness of the pulse. In the horse 
the pulse could not be taken at the jaw and as the consequence 
changes are apt to occur in any part of the body. 



FATTY DEGENERATION. 

This form of degeneration may involve the whole organ or it 
may be limited in patches, which would give the heart a mottled 
appearance. When the condition is general the heart is flabby 
and in extreme cases collapses when cut. Fatty infiltration de- 
posits fat between the fibres while in degeneration the muscle 
protoplasm itself is changed into fat. Fatty degeneration is often 
associated with other morbid conditions such as obesity, dilata- 
tion, rupture, aneurism, etc. When it exists alone its presence 
is seldom suspected previous to death. It may be due to de- 
teriorated conditions of the blood in wasting diseases, excessive 
hemorrhages, or to poisoning with arsenic and phosphorus. Fatty 
infiltration co-exists with obesity. 

Symptoms.— The most prominent symptoms of fatty degener- 
ation are a feeble action of the heart, a remarkably slow pulse, 



200 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

general debility and attacks of vertigo. It may involve a lia- 
bility to sudden death from rupture of the walls. 

Obesity of the heart is the deposit of immense quantities of 
fat around the heart. The result of this is a very weak heart, 
shortness of breath, which runs into dyspnoea. The animal may 
be all right when standing still but as soon as exercised the 
trouble shows. 

POLYPI OR TUMORS OF THE HEART. 

Tumors may develop on the inside or outside of the heart. On 
the inside they are more likely to take the form of polypi. They 
are usually originated from particles floated from some other part 
of the body, which have become attached to the base of the 
heart valves. These polypi may become regular fibrous growths 
such as are seen following an inflammation. They are more 
often found upon the lining of the auricle than upon the ventri- 
cle. Fragments of these vegetations often float off and lodge in 
some other part of the body, as the brain, where they produce 
coma and finally death. 

When these tumors form in the heart they can be diagnosed 
by auscultation ; a rasping sound reveals their presence. 

Vascular tumors are frequently found on the outside of the 
heart at the apex. 

RUPTURE. 

Rupture of the heart may occur as the result of some previous 
disease, such as fatty degeneration, dilatation with weakness of 
the walls, etc. It may be caused by external violence, a crushing 
fall, pressure from some great weight, etc. Jumping often causes 
it. 

The rupture more frequently occurs in the left ventricle, al- 
though it may occur in the auricles. Death quickly follows a 
rupture. 

Segmentation of the heart fibres also occurs frequently. The 
heart fiber is a syncytium, i. e., it is composed of cells joined to- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 201 

gether end to end. In segmentation the cells break apart at their 
cement lines of attachment. 

Sometimes the heart is found misplaced. It is sometimes on 
the right side and sometimes in the front of the chest cavity, or in 
the abdomen. This condition of the heart is called Ectopia 
Cordis. 

DISEASES OF THE BLOOD VESSELS. 

ARTERITIS. 

Inflammation of the lining of an artery is called arteritis. 
This inflammation sometimes spreads to the media and adventitia 
and it is hard to find what causes it. The strongylus armatus is 
often found right under the coat of the vessel where it sets up 
an inflammation. Other worms may cause this condition. The 
iliac artery in females is sometimes injured in parturition, set- 
ting up ill results. 

The most common result is the formation of a thrombus at 
the point of inflammation. It may grow so as to obstruct the ves- 
sel and it is then spoken of as thrombosis of the artery. The par- 
tially organized lymph may become detached and float off to some 
other part, as an embolus. When an embolus reaches a vessel 
too small for it to pass, it becomes lodged and plugs the vessel, 
producing embolism. 

Treatment. — Embolism is incurable and thrombosis may pro- 
duce serious results. Thrombosis must be treated with hot and 
cold applications externally and internally — acetanilid, quinine 
and belladonna. In case of arteritis of the iliacs give a laxative 
and cold rectal injections (60 degrees F.) with a little belladonna 
in it. Keep the animal warm in cold weather. It is incurable. 

ANEURISM. 

Aneurism is a dilatation of the arteries and it is sometimes 
called a pulsating tumor. This may be the result of one or two 
causes. First may be mentioned weakness of the arterial walls, 
which the pressure dilates. The walls may get very thin and 



202 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

sometimes rupture and the animal bleeds to death. This condi- 
tion usually occurs in the posterior aorta. Worms may cause 
aneurism, especially in the colic artery. 

If the aneurism is external, apply pressure in the form of a 
truss. If it is in a vessel that can be dispensed with, ligate it. 
It may occur from stricture caused by arteritis, the dilatation be- 
ing anterior to it. 

PHLEBITIS. 

Inflammation of the veins is called phlebitis and it is either 
traumatic or idiopathic — idiopathic as regards its origin. In the 
horse it is usually traumatic. As the result of the inflammation 
there is extensive exudation into the vein, which finally becomes 
obliterated at the point of injury. More or less pus is discharged. 

The idiopathic form is seen in the human, but seldom or never 
in the horse. In the human it is associated with milk leg at times. 

Symptoms. — Local heat and swelling. If the vein is obliter- 
ated, it is like a cord. 

Treatment. — Ordinary antiseptic treatment. If there is a 
suppurating wound present, it must be curetted and treated freely 
with antiseptics. 

VARIX. 

Varix is a dilated vein, sometimes called varicose veins. It 
is due to obstruction or weakness of the venous walls. Vari- 
cosity of the jugular is sometimes met with, especially where the 
two jugulars meet. 

Treatment. — Pressure is about the only treatment In the 
human elastic stockings and bands are used on the legs. In the 
case of bone spavin you will find the saphena major enlarged. 
In firing, be careful not to press the iron too heavily when over 
the part. 

*» 
DISEASES OF THE URINARY SYSTEM. 

The chief function of the kidneys is the removal of the sur- 
plus nitrogen of the body in the form of urea, and the surplus 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 203 

water. Most of the poisons of the body are thrown off through 
the kidneys; bacteria and foreign bodies largely escape through 
the same channels. The kidneys, therefore, are the sanitary 
scavengers and purifiers of the system, and when their functions 
are impaired or arrested, the retained poisons quickly show their 
presence in the resulting disorder of the skin, nervous system, and 
in fact all the other organs. On the other hand, scarcely an im- 
portant organ of the body can suffer derangement without a cor- 
responding disorder of the urinary system. 

The prominent causes of urinary diseases may be summed up 
as follows : 

All extensive inflammations and acute diseases attended by 
fever diminish the liquids of the urine and increase the solids — 
waste products — resulting in the irritation of the urinary organs 
or the poisoning of the system at large by the retention of the 
surplus waste. 

Diseases of the heart and lungs, by interfering with the free 
onward flow of the blood from the right side of the heart, tend 
to throw that liquid back upon the veins, and this backward 
pressure of venous blood reacts upon the kidneys. 

Poisons in the food and water (such as irritant diuretic plants, 
musty hay or oats), green vegetables covered with hoar frost, 
excess of phosphates in such food as bran, peas, beans, lentils, 
vetches, rape cake, cotton-seed cake, etc., privation of water, pro- 
ducing too great concentration of the body tissues, — these are 
direct causes of disturbance in the kidneys. 

A disordered liver producing an excess of bile will color the 
urine; an excess of hippuric acid and its allied products favor 
the formation of stone ; of taurocholic acid, the restruction of the 
blood elements and consequence irritation of the kidneys ; of gly- 
cogen, the production of saccharine urine. 

Any disorder leading to impaired function of the lungs is 
causative of an excess of hippuric acid, of bile, of oxalic acid, of 
sugar, etc.. in the urine, resulting in irritation of the urinary 
passages. 

Diseases of the brain and nervous system, notably of the base 
of the brain and the spinal cord, induce various urinary disorders, 
such as chvlous urine, diabetes, and albuminuria. 



204 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

In some cases the changes in the urine are the sole sign of 
disease. In health the horse's urine is of a deep amber color 
and has a strong odor. On a feed of grain and hay it may show 
uniform transparency, while on a green ration there is an abun- 
dant white deposit of carbonate of lime. Of the morbid changes 
the following are to be looked for : ( 1 ) Color ; white from de- 
posited salts of lime; brown or red from blood clots or coloring 
matter ; yellow or orange from bile or from blood pigment ; pale 
from excess of water; or variously from vegetable ingredients 
(santonin makes it red ; rhubarb or senna, brown; methylene blue, 
blue, tar or carbolic acid, green). (2) Density: The horses 
urine may be 1.030 to 1.050, but the specific gravity may exceed 
this, as in diabetes, or it may sink to 1.007, as in diuresis. (3) 
Chemical reaction : The horse on a vegetable diet has alkaline 
urine, while in the sucking colt or in a horse fed on flesh or on 
his own tissues, as in starvation or abstinence during disease, the 
urine is acid. (4) Organic constituents: Albumen, mucous 
shreds, casts, worms, etc. (5) Salts: These crystalize out spon- 
taneously as the result of excess of some acid or base in the urine. 
Pus is frequently found in the urine associated with albumen. 

ALBUMINURIA. 

In the horse this can be safely called equine Bright's. It oc- 
curs in two forms, acute and chronic. It is mostly due to indi- 
gestion. The chief symptom is tjie presence of albumin in the 
urine, but sometimes none may be present. Accordingly, several 
tests should be made for the determination of the albumin. You 
cannot rely on a single sample. Tube casts are also present. 
These are cylinders of fibrous coagulum, the coagulation having 
taken place in the uriniferous tubules to which the casts conform 
in shape. In the present of fatty degeneration the casts will have 
a waxy appearance, due to the presence of fat and oil in them. 

Test for Albumin in the Urine. — Put some of the urine in a 
test-tube and boil it : if any albumin is present, a white coagulum 
will form. Heating the urine will also precipitate phosphates if 
in excess, but nitric acid will dissolve them. If the urine is 
strongly alkaline, neutralize it with a little acetic acid, for alka- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. ' 205 

line urine may coagulate when heated even though albumin is 
not present. Another test consists in placing a little urine in a 
test-tube and carefully pouring down the side of the tube a little 
strong nitric acid — pour it in such a way that it goes to the 
bottom of the tube underneath the urine and a white line of coag- 
ulation will form between the acid and the urine. 

Semeiology. — The first indication of equine Bright's is stiff- 
ness in the gait of the horse — on the hind parts. In old con- 
firmed cases they step about eight or ten inches to a step, are stiff 
in turning and inclined to stretch. Ultimately the horse will 
suffer constitutionally, — animal will become hide-bound, coat long, 
becomes weaker and weaker in the hind parts, finally gets down 
and is unable to get up, delirium follows, then uric acid poisoning 
and death. 

Treatment. — The treatment is usually not applied early 
enough for the disease is not then diagnosed. But if it can be 
detected in its early stages, the stomach should be given a com- 
plete change of food. If possible the animal should be put on 
grass. Give him stomachics and saline purgatives. Exercise 
regularly. Give gentian, nux vomica, arsenic, zingiber, with a 
little charcoal and potassium. Diuretics in any form are not 
indicated. Give plenty of bran and sloppy food. After a few 
weeks' time change to a sour tonic. 

Fl. Ext. Gent. Rd. Pulv ounce j 

Hydrochloric Acid dram j 

Alcohol ounce iv 

Aqua qs ad pint j 

M. Sig. — 1 ounce 3 times a day before eating. 

After using this treatment for a week or ten days go back to 
the other treatment. 



HEMATURIA. 

Hematuria is bloody urine but not a high-colored urine ne- 
cessarily. The blood is usually passed in clots and they can be 
seen on the floor. 

Etiology. — Severe strain of the loins, cystic calculus, strong 
diuretics, various parasites in the kidneys, especially the strongy- 



206 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

lus gigas, congestion and degeneration of the kidney and can- 
cers, especially melanosis, are the principal causes of this dis- 
ease. The strongylus gigas seems to be partial to the kidney and 
develops enormously there. A male 10 inches long and a female 
14 inches long were taken from the kidney of a dog that died in 
the Chicago Veterinary College. 

Treatment. — Treat as the symptoms indicate. If the disease 
is caused by strain, apply cold applications and keep up for two 
or three hours. If this fails to do any good, give the horse a 
cold water injection and run the hose in three or four feet. If a 
calculus is found in the bladder it must be removed. If the 
hemorrhage continues and no calculus in the bladder has been 
found nor any bruise, the cause may be a renal calculus. Hydro- 
chloric acid internally will reduce the alkalinity of the urine. In 
case of parasites nothing can be done. 

DIABETES INSIPIDUS. 

Diabetes insipidus or polyuria is profuse micturition and as- 
sociated with it is great thirst. The urine is clear as water and 
horse passes it every fifteen to thirty minutes. Stable men call 
the condition flooding. The specific gravity of the urine is about 
the same as water — 1.002 or 1.003. In horses clear urine is fre- 
quently a sign of blood poisoning, as in glanders. 

Etiology. — The chief" cause is indigestion, or mal-assimilation 
of the food. Improper food, such as musty oats or hay or kiln- 
dried oats, or too free use of diuretics may be the cause of the 
indigestion. 

The horse will run down in flesh, he develops a long staring 
coat, gets wabbly behind and finally dies from collapse. The ap- 
petite usually remains good. 

Horses generally recover but mules do not. Post mortem 
shows a general pallor of all the parts ; the kidney, especially the 
cortical portion, is soft. 

Treatment. — Iodine is the best remedy and should be given 
in large doses. To a 1,200 pound horse give a dram of the iodine 
crystals in a linseed bolus. This quenches the thirst and inci- 
dentally reduces the flow of urine. In the horse one dose is 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 207 

usually sufficient; if not, repeat in three or four days. Follow- 
ing the dose of iodine, treat the indigestion. Give bicarbonate 
of sodium. — a dram three times a day for a week and then change 
to hydrochloric acid for a week. Then go back to soda. Give 
vegetable bitters and feed on grass or bran. Do not let the 
horse bolt his food. 

A rrild form of polyuria is seen in horses fed continuously 
on hay and oats without any change. The common remedy is a 
tablespoon ful of starch in the food three times a day. Give bran 
with the oats and a mild purgative if the animal is not working. 

DIABETES MELLITUS. 

Diabetes mellitus (glycosuria) is a condition where sugar is 
found in the urine. It is comparatively common in the human 
but it is seldom found among the other animals. Dogs fed ex- 
clusively on liver develop fatty degeneration of the liver and it is 
suspected that they die from glycosuria. Professor Williams 
says that he never saw this disease in the horse or in herbivorous 
animals. 

Etiology. — The predisposing cause is continuous over-eating. 
The disease is a sort of indigestion. 

Semeiology. — The urine is excessive in amount and of high 
specific gravity. Next symptom is lassitude. Then follows 
swelling of the feet and red spots on the skin of the legs. These 
spots become larger and finally break out in raw sores. 

Treatment. — All starch and sugar should be withheld from the 
food and the diet should consist of meat and nitrogenous foods. 
Give plenty of water. Avoid irritating substances. 

Besides sugar in the urine, pus may appear, also mucus in 
increased amount. The mucus may be seen as a floculent cloud 
which is easily shaken up when the urine is in a bottle. It never 
settles. Unless the pus is very abundant it need give no alarm. 
It may be caused by calculi or some irritating substance in the 
food or medicine. The urine must be examined microscopically 
to determine its presence. In order to clear up the urine, remove 
the cause of the irritation. Give the animal something to allay 



208 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

it and also give him a laxative. Give the horse fluid extract 
Saw Palmetto in ounce doses three times a day. 

OXALURIA. 

Oxaluria is a disease seen in horses oftener than in any other 
animal. It is a condition in which the oxalic acid of the body 
crystallizes out in the urine in the form of oxalate of lime. Oxa- 
lic acid itself is a product of imperfect combustion of the nitro- 
genous and amyloidal substances of the body. This condition is 
found to be comparatively common in animals which are overfed 
and are given irregular work. Fatiguing labor after a period of 
idleness and high feeding will cause it. The most aggravated 
cases are found in trotting stallions. 

Symptoms. — Great dullness and languor are marked symp- 
toms. In severe cases there is rapid loss of flesh, — a difference in 
flesh can be seen in a horse within a week. He has a capricious 
appetite. On examination nothing can be found. The animal 
runs from bad to worse and gets stiff in the loins. In from 
ten to fifteen days a bran-like scurf appears on the skin, *due to 
altered sensibility of the skin nerves. This is a prominent symp- 
tom. In four or five weeks, if the disease runs that long, he 
becomes hide bound and emaciated. He passes water oftener 
than normal and the urine is of pale amber color... The urethra 
becomes scalded by the urine and he dreads to micturate. The 
mouth is furred, has a sour smell and a soapy feel. The bow- 
els are irregular. Upon testing the urine the reaction will be 
neutral, but after standing a little while it will be alkaline. Ex- 
amined microscopically oxalates of lime will be found, — octahed- 
ral crystals in the horse and dumb-bell shaped in the dog and 
human. These crystals are soluble in nitric acid, but not in water 
and are not affected by boiling in acetic acid or by potassium 
hydroxide. 

Treatment. — Indigestion being the cause of the condition, 
give the animal a complete change of diet and withhold all sac- 
charides. Give him bran, grass, etc.. and gentle and regular ex- 
ercise. Drinking water should be pure, rain water is the best. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 209 

In addition to this give mineral acids, hydrochloric acid. Give 
Saw Palmetto. If he is in much pain, give a little morphine or 
codine and combine a little belladonna with the palmetto. 

RENAL CONGESTION. 

Renal congestion is hyeraemia of the kidneys. It may occur 
as a sequel of any debilitating disease. It may be the result ot 
irritating substances applied to the skin or being present in the 
food. Absorption of cantharides, which has been spread over a 
large surface, or too much turpentine administered internally, 
exposure to cold and dampness, accidental injuries or violence, 
blood contamination, — these are the principal causes of renal con- 
gestion and in all cases the Malpighian tufts of the kidney are 
congested. In Azoturia passive congestion occurs. 

Post Mortem. — The kidneys are very large and red; there 
will be ecchymoses corresponding to the Malpighian tufts and 
sometimes on the surface. 

Treatment. — Ascertain the cause if possible and remove. If 
too much turpentine has been given, give the horse a small dose 
of oil and saw palmetto. Belladonna is indicated internally. Ap- 
ply hot rugs to the loins and give perfect rest for a few days and 
a light diet. Nephritis usually follows. 

NEPHRITIS. 

Nephritis is inflammation of the kidneys. There are two 
forms. The first form is the mild or subacute. It follows some 
debilitating disease such' as influenza, — in fact any weakening 
disease in which the fever has been high for some time, say a 
week. Congestion occurs around the loops of Henle and the 
Malphighian tufts and is due to the accumulation of debris in 
the system resulting from the previous fever, during which the 
kidneys were inactive. 

Pathogenesis. — High fever lasting for about a week without 
diusesis being produced. The kidneys fail to remove the accu- 
mulating debris and become congested to the extent of inflamma- 



210 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

tion as a result. This is Bright's disease of the kidneys. It is 
seen most often in the dog, cat and human, but seldom in the 
horse. 

Post Mortem. — The kidneys are found congested. 

Symptoms. — The animal seems to be convalescent from the 
fever which first attacked him when suddenly the appetite fails 
the urine becomes scanty and high-colored, in some cases quite 
red. Upon testing it albumin is present. Emaciation takes 
place and general debility comes on rapidly. There is a staring 
coat, oedema of the legs and stiffness of gait. 

Treatment. — Hygiene should be good; give scalded oats and 
bran, equal parts. The kidneys must be made to work or the 
horse will die. Diuretics are strongly indicated ; at the same time 
keep the bowels slightly relaxed with sulphate of sodium. When 
the disease becomes chronic the animal will die but he may live 
for two or three years. 

The second form of nephritis is the acute parenchymatous. 
This form comes on suddenly with a tendency to kill in about 
five days or produces one or more abscesses, later. If it attacks 
both kidneys it will kill in five days, but if only one is affected the 
horse may live for some time and possibly recover. 

Etiology. — Anything that causes renal congestion may cause 
acute parenchymatous nephritis. Sometimes severe strains of 
the psoas muscles cause inflammation which extends to the kid- 
neys. The most typical cases come from cold and dampness. 

Symptoms. — The horse is in great pain and has an anxious 
countenance, glistening eyes, and although restless is disinclined 
to move and yet may sweat. His temperature may run up four 
to six degrees. He does not seem to wish to move his hind legs 
and stands persistently. He passes only a small quantity of urine 
and it is hot and high-colored. If pressure is put against the af- 
fected part there is pain. If the horse is forced to move he has 
a straddling gait. There is great loss of appetite. He grows 
rapidly worse and may die in the course of three days, but the 
general average is five. The urine is entirely suppressed before 
death. The form of death is syncope. 

Post Mortem. — In a very acute case without pus the kidneys 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 211 

will be swollen and dark red. Occasionally you will find part 
of one or both gangrenous. 

Treatment. — This form of acute nephritis requires prompt 
treatment. Put hot wet rugs over the loins and change them 
every half hour. Keep the animal where he is warm and com- 
fortable. Give rectal injections of warm water with a little bella- 
donna in it, — Fl. Ext. Bella, half ounce to water four pints. 
Give horse linseed tea to drink, acetanilid in moderate doses as 
often as he can stand it and aconite in small repeated doses. No 
matter what the treatment, however, the animal very seldom, if 
ever, recovers. 

RENAL CALCULUS. 

A renal calculus is a calcareous secretion which is usually 
found in the pelvis of the kidney. It may be in the form of 
stone of considerable size or it may be in the form of gravel, 
which floats down through the ureters with the urine into the 
bladder. The calcareous material may lodge in the ureters or 
may remain in the bladder to form large stones. In case the 
ureter becomes obstructed the pelvis of the kidney will become 
distended, local inflammation will follow with more or less sup- 
puration. Suppuration nephritis will be the ultimate result 
unless the stone is dislodged. A horse in this condition would 
die from a combination of pyaemia and uraemia and coma would 
be the form of death. The stone is composed of carbonate and 
phosphate of lime, the carbonates predominating. 

Symptoms. — Colicky pains at irregular intervals are present, 
especially after severe exercise. The urine is exceedingly heavy, 
being charged with earthy salts. Occasionally there is some blood 
in the urine and it will clot on the floor. Upon examination of 
the ureter through the rectum you can detect the distension and 
will feel the soft, fluctuating enlargement which can be traced 
to the kidney. 

Treatment. — Give the horse pure water to drink (rain water 
is the test). Give plenty of bran and grass in season and 
hydrochloric acid in dram doses once a day in a pint of water. 



212 . THEORY AND PRACTICE 

CYSTITIS. 

Cystitis is inflammation of the lining of the bladder. 

Etiology. — The inflammation may result from calculi or from 
gravel. The most common cause is irritation of the skin or ir- 
ritating substance in the food or water. In the human it is 
often caused by gonorrhoea. 

Semeiology. — Nervous excitement is marked at first and then 
depression comes on. Elevation of temperature may or may not 
be present. Micturition is very painful with spasms of the 
bladder (tenesmus). The horse urinates frequently and the 
urine is in small quantities, hot and high-colored, sometimes 
streaked with blood, especially if the condition is caused by cal- 
culi, or gravel. The bowels are apt to be congested and the 
stools coated with slime. If the cause of irritation is in the 
alimentary tract, then its mucous * membrane will be congested 
and catarrhal. The disease may run a rapid course and termi- 
nate fatally in three or four days. But in a mild case it may 
run three or four weeks. 

Treatment. — General anodyne course should be followed. If 
the inflammation is caused by a calculus, remove it if possible. 
The anodyne course is 'to give him linseed tea with rain water. 
To keep up the strength of the horse, give him raw eggs and 
milk and if he will eat it, grass. If the cause of the irritation 
can be removed, then put the animal on stimulants such as 
strychnine, nitro-glycerine, etc. Flush the bladder with a sat- 
urated solution of boracic acid two or three times a day. The 
catheter should be sterilized and the solution should be run in 
from a fountain syringe. Cramps may occur, but when they 
cease, go on with the treatment. Keep the bowels open with 
a laxative and give rather liberally saw palmetto and san metto. 

DYSURIA. 

Dysuria is the painful passage of urine. This may be caused 
by the partial obstruction or irritation of the mucous lining of 
the ureters. The most aggravated cases of this is seen from 
gravel in the from of cystic calculi or smaller grains floating 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 213 

down the ureters. In males the next most common cause is en- 
largement of the prostrate glands. It generally comes in old 
age, and is attributed to too much stud work. Occasionally, but 
rarely, it is seen in geldings. This enlargement of the prostrate 
is called by horsemen the "bean." It is sometimes so great as to 
press upon the neck of the urethra. Other causes of dysuria are 
thickening of the neck of the bladder from cystitis or the bulbus 
portion of the urethra, cancer of the penis, tumor of the glands 
penis, foulness of the sheath from the accumulation of sebaceous 
material, producing swelling and pressure. Another cause is the 
horse urinating in his sheath either from habit or malformation. 
In the female, at the opening of the vagina there is often found 
a small tumor, called a carbuncle, which extends sometimes into 
the ureters and makes micturition slow and painful. Prolapsus 
of the uterus may be a cause; hardened feces may press down 
upon the vagina and urethra. In the male stings of bees may 
cause swelling of the sheath. 

Treatment. — If possible locate the cause. This is sometimes 
very difficult. In case of enlargement of the prostrate in the 
dog or stallion the old treatment consisted in applying tincture of 
iodine to the perineum and giving idodide of potash internally 
for a long time. But this is more or less injurious to the re- 
productive power of the animal. Pass the catheter occasionally : 
in bad cases it may be passed two or three times a day. In the 
human the prostate gland may have to be removed in part, but 
this is a very dangerous operation. In case of thickening of 
the neck of the bladder give external treatment that will allay 
the irritation of the mucous membrane of the bladder, which is 
often due to the acid condition of the urine caused by eating too 
much meat. In such a case alkalies will overcome the acidity 
and relieve. Retire the animal from stud work according to the 
severity of the case. In foulness of the sheath, wash the parts 
with soap and water and introduce a wad of carbolized cotton 
dipped in carbolized oil. Swab out once a day and at each dress- 
ing bring the penis down, pulling gently and slowly. 



214 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

ISCHURIA. 

Ischuria is suppression of the urine. There may be none ex- 
creted or there may be inability to pass it when it is present. 
When the latter is the case it is usually from paralysis of the 
muscular coat of the bladder. 

This condition usually exists when the horse is kept too long 
without giving him a chance to urinate. Some horses are pe- 
culiar as to when and how they do this, so never fail to humor 
them in their peculiarities in this respect. Therefore, when you 
notice colicky pains, switching of the tail, and restlessness you 
can suspect the cause. Many horses dislike to urinate while 
down ; therefore in azoturia the water should be drawn from 
them. When a horse is to be swung, never fail to draw the 
water from him or rupture of the bladder may occur. When 
no urine is secreted as in purpura hemorrhagica, then the kid- 
neys are at fault. 

Treatment. — When the urine is not secreted diuretics and dif- 
fusible stimulants are indicated. If there is spasmodic contrac- 
tion of the bladder, then anodynes should be given. — as hot 
water and belladonna. Try passing the catheter smeared with 
solid extract of belladonna. This will often relieve the constric- 
tion. If you are sure of paralysis being present, give- one dram 
of powdered mix vomica in the feed night and morning for a 
few days. 

The condition should be treated promptly and the animal not 
neglected. Otherwise the case may become serious. 

ENURESIS. 

Enuresis is incontinence of the urine. When the animal can- 
not retain the urine in the bladder it dribbles away as it forms. 
The condition is usually due to paralysis of the neck of the 
bladder ; the sphincter muscle fails to contract and the urine 
dribbles down the legs, scalding them. It is sometimes very 
painful. In the male the penis becomes paralyzed and hangs 
down. 

Treatment. — Nervous tonics are indicated, with local shock- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 215 

ing such as dashing water on the perineum. This often resus- 
citates the. waning power. A gallon of water given by rectum 
produces a shock and this ,comes in good in this condition. Nux 
vomica taken continuously for a month will promote the general 
health. 

Strangury is the passage of the urine in drops on account of 
severe irritability of the mucous lining of the bladder or of the 
muscularis. The urine comes away every few minutes in drops 
or in small quantities. Apparently there is hyperesthesia of the 
bladder mucosa. The retention of the urine causes inflammation 
of the bladder. 

The treatment must be toward allaying the irritability. 
Therefore give anodynes such as opium, belladonna., etc., and 
laxatives, — oil and linseed tea to drink. 

URETHRITIS. 

Inflammation of the lining of the urethra is called urethritis. 
Any of the causes producing inflammation in the bladder may 
cause urethritis. If a stallion copulates with a mare suffering 
from leucorrhcea, urethritis is apt to follow. 

Treatment. — Mild soothing diuretics and stimulants in the 
form of copaiba, 1 dram dose three times a day, or oil of sandal- 
wood are good remedies. Suspend the horse's stud work. Be 
careful about using local injection. A solution of bichloride of 
mercury 1 to 2000 can be used and twenty-four hours after an- 
other solution 1 to 6000. Do this twice a day for two or three 
days. In all these cases relax the bowels with the medicines. 
As a rule the inflammation does not extend further up than 
three to six inches, but if it does it is due to the irritation of 
gravel in the bladder. If the condition arises in a stallion, re- 
tire for a week or two. Clean the parts with soap and water 
three times a day and at the same time syringe mild antiseptics 
into the urethra. Solution of sulphate of zinc in warm water is 
the best. Do not manipulate the penis after injection. 

Rupture of the bladder may occur occasionally but it is very 
rare. It is more likely to occur in the human than in the other 



216 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

animals. It may be seen in cases of azoturia or in cases of 
strain of the psoas muscles. 

Eversion of the bladder often occurs. The bladder protrudes 
through the vulva, appearing like a case of prolapsus or a poly- 
pus. Examination will tell the difference. The lining of the 
bladder is velvety and soft and the openings can be found. Re- 
turn the bladder to its proper position with a probang and give 
anodynes and oil. 

TUMORS. 

A tumor may be defined as any prominence or growth, un- 
natural, on the body or in any organ or gland. It may be com- 
posed of the same tissue as where it grows, or it may be en- 
tirely dissimilar. A tumor grows by self -proliferation, the same 
as other parts of the body ; new blood vessels and lymphatics ex- 
tend into the growth and furnish it nutriment. These nutrient 
vessels are usually much enlarged. As a rule nerve fibers ex- 
tend into a tumor. Tumors are subject to all the changes which 
occur in any other tissue, such as fatty degeneration, suppuration, 
ulceration, gangrene, pigmentation, calcification, etc. Necro- 
sis sometimes takes place, often to such an extent as to entirely 
destroy the tumor. 

Tumors are of various shapes and forms : nodular, when re- 
sembling nodules; tuberous, when like a tubercle; fungoid, when 
cauliflower shaped; polypoid, when like a polypus; papillary, 
when they are shaped like the crater of a volcano ; dentritic. 
when they have roots or branches. Tumors may be single or 
multiple ; this is particularly seen in black cancer, such as is seen 
around the tails of white horses — the so-called melanotic tumors. 

Tumors are either malignant or benign. A malignant tumor 
has the following characteristics ; ( 1) It invades the surround- 
ing tissues by peripheral or eccentric growth: (2) it has a 
tendency to recur after removal; (3) it will spread to other 
parts of the body, causing metastasis ; (4) it has a tendency to 
interfere with the nutritition of the body and results in cachexia. 

The real cause of tumors is not known. Predisposing causes 
are such as heredity, mechanical injuries, parasitic invasion. — in 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 217 

fact anything that will lower the resistence of the animal. Con- 
heim developed the theory that tumors are due to embryonal 
displacement, — either to misplaced cells or to superfluous cells. 
Tumors do not develop in young animals so much as in old. 
The melanotic tumors in horses do not develop until the age of 
ten or fifteen years. 

Tumors may be divided into six large classes : 

1. Connective tissue tumors (histoid). 

a. Fibroma. 

b. Myxoma. 

c. Sarcoma — round, spindle-celled, mixed, and 

giant-celled. 

d. Endothelioma. 

e. Lipoma. 

f. Chondroma. 

g. Osteoma, 
h. Glioma. 

2. Myomata. 

3. Neuromata. 

4. Angiomata. 

5. Epitheliomata. 

6. Teratomata. These are mixed tumors, which are 

composed of all kinds of tissue. They are con- 
genital. Teeth and hair may be found in them. 
Tumors of the first and fifth classes are most likely to be- 
come malignant. A malignant tumor is called a cancer, and 
there are several different kinds, such as hard, soft, pigmented, 
etc. A hard cancer is called a scirrhus cancer, especially by the 
old writers. A scirrhus cancer is very hard and dense and con- 
sists of white tissue. It is sometimes of uneven hardness ; other 
times it has hard projections extending from it into the tissue to 
which it is attached. The tumor cuts like cartilage and from the 
cut surface a persistent hemorrhage is prone to occur. When 
operating it is difficult to arrest the hemorrhage. The scirrhus 
has a special liking for the lymphatic glands. Unless such a 
growth interferes with mastication or some other functional ac- 
tivity it will produce little or no harm until it begins to break 
down, when ulceration may take place and eventually the tissue 



218 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

refuse to heal. Early removal with the knife is the only treat- 
ment. 

As examples of the soft cancers may be mentioned the en- 
cephaloma, fungus hsematoid, seen growing in the eyes of cat- 
tle, medullary fungus, etc. The soft cancerous fungi may be 
found in any of the tissues, but mostly in the glands. In the 
horse it is often found on the penis and may extend to the testi- 
cles ; also on the vulva in the mare. It may affect bones and may 
arise in the periosteum. To the touch the tumor has a soft 
fluctuating feel, but there is no pus in it. Upon cutting into 
it a profuse hemorrhage will take place. Around such tumors is 
a network of veins which have increased in size greatly and this 
feature makes it difficult to operate. These tumors often break 
down and granulate, going on to ulceration. 

Colloid degeneration frequently takes place in tumors, es- 
pecially in epithelial tumors. The colloid material is amber-col- 
ored and resembles half melted glue in consistency. Other 
forms of degeneration are the mucoid and the contents may be- 
come very fluid, forming a cyst. 

Of the connective tissue tumors which become malignant the 
sarcoma is the most common type. The tumor cell is a round 
cell or spindle shaped. The round celled sarcomata are the most 
malignant. These tumors are very prone to metastasis. The 
so-called melanotic cancer is a type of sarcoma. Each cell con- 
tains an abundance of pigment, which is often of so great amount 
that the form of the cell, its nucleus, etc., cannot be made out. 
The pigment may invade the intercellular substance as well. 
These black tumors have every feature of malignancy. Some- 
times they develop very suddenly, producing great lameness. Xo 
tissue in the body is exempt from them, but their favorite sites 
are the vulva, the anus, and the bare part under the tail. When 
removed, they come back in some other part. They are found 
most frequently in old white horses. 

The epithelial cancer is common. This tumor is composed 
of epithelial cells, which can be of any type. The tumors may 
grow and develop in the skin and mucous membrane or in the 
glands. Metastasis usually follows and even though the tumor 
be removed, it will most alwavs recur. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 219 

A benign tumor usually is surrounded by a capsule. It may 
consist of fat, cartilage, fibrous connective tissue or bone. 

The fibrous connective tissue tumor is called a fibroma. It 
may be soft or hard. The polypus is a form of soft fibroma 
which is usually found in the nose. It is attached by a pedicle 
and in the horse it may be so long as to interfere with the epi- 
glottis. It produces a difficulty in breathing, a sort of snoring 
or snuffling, the same as heard in the pug dog. The best way to 
remove a polypus is with a wire ecraseur. If the neck of the 
polypus is small, it can be twisted off with a pair of forceps. 
After removing, wash out with perchloride of iron — 1 dram to 
the pint of water — twice a day. Another kind of fibroma is the 
wart. The eyelids and the legs are the usual places for warts. 
Not only is the connective tissue increased to form the bulk of 
the wart, but the surface epithelium is increased also and they 
may become malignant. 

An interesting polypus is sometimes found in the uterus of 
the mare and may grow to a large size. It could be confused 
with an everted bladder or with an impervious hymen in Alleys. 

The condroma or cartilaginous tumor develops commonly 
on the sternum of the horse or ox, following injury. In the 
horses we may find one growing near the trachea, following trach- 
eotomy or from kicks and wounds. If they are limited in size, 
they can be removed with the knife, but when large, removal 
is impracticable. In the early stage of their growth they are 
largely made up of fibrous connective tissue. 

The so-called osteoma or bone tumor is usually an inflam- 
matory growth and it is not a true tumor. 

The lipoma or fatty tumor consists of fat and it is liable to 
grow in any animal and in any part. Such a tumor is easily re- 
moved; it is non-vascular. Apply a little cocaine when ope- 
rating. 

The neuroma is a nerve tumor and it is most commonly seen 
as a sequel of neurotomy. In this operation the nerve should 
be drawn down and cut off so that the end will draw up into the 
limb. Then it will not grow out into the granulations which 
form during the healing of the wound. You will find that when 



220 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



the horse is not benefited by the operation of neurotomy, it is 
usually due to the formation of one of these tumors. 

CYSTS. 



Cysts are very common and they are important. Examples 
are Capped Hock, Capped Knee, Wind Galls, etc. They may 
grow on any part of the body, inside or outside. They may 
contain hair and they are lined with skin as well as being cov- 
ered with it. They usually follow an injury. When produced 
they rapidly fill with serum and an acute inflammation takes 
place in from 12 to 48 hours. 

Treatment. — For cystic tumors on a horse's legs the first 
thing to do, especially if they are of large size, is to puncture 
them. In capped hock it has been proven that a puncture car 
be made with safety and it is the only satisfactory treatment. 
If the tumor is not tapped, eventually a fibrous growth may 
form, which may prove dangerous to remove. 

Operation. — First find where the point of injur}- is and lo- 
cate the size and position of the cyst by fluctuation. Open it 
with a probe-pointed bistoury, never a scalpel, as near the bottom- 
as possible. Quickly catch your knife and insert slowly at the 
bottom, inward, upward and outward, till the point of the knife 
is about an inch from the insertion and then cut though. Some- 
times you will not cut deep enough and the serum will not flow. 
Do not be afraid if the blood flows freely, for the hemorrhage 
can be stopped. Syringe out the cyst with a caustic solution. 
This will prevent reforming. Tincture of iodine, full strength, 
can be used. Never syringe after the first time. Dip a wad of 
oakum in some antiseptic solution and insert in the sack. Bathe 
the wound with hot water an hour at a time and insert a fresh 
piece o*f oakum after each bathing. Keep up this treatment for 
10* to 20 days, by which time the place will usually become healed. 
A hard fibrous scar will usually form in the place of the cyst 
and the parts should be bathed with witch hazel and soap, equal 
parts, added to the same amount of water. Wrap the parts in 
flannel and give a little walking exercise. " Animal will be all 
right in about six weeks. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 221 

If an old case is brought to you, open and make a. new 
wound of it, poultice and after about a month put on a mild 
blister. If the wound tends to heal with the formation of much 
fibrous tissue, rubbing will help this very much. 

Serous cysts on the knees of cattle can be opened and treated 
all right if they are young in growth, but if old chronic cases, 
the doctor would better let them alone. Where they form in 
ether parts of the body, from kicks and injuries, etc., they can 
be opened at the bottom and some caustic be injected. Use hot 
applications an hour at a time and regulate the diet. In capped 
elbow, where the tumor is small and bagging, it can be removed 
by ligating. Tie a cord around it tightly and after two or three 
days another a little tighter and then cut oft and sear with a hot 
iron. Considerable inflammation is apt to accompany this 
method, however. 

The ovarian cyst is common in women, cows and cats. It is 
a dropsical condition of the ovary and it does not always involve 
the whole of the organ. In the human these cysts may become 
malignant by the growth of the epithelium lining the cavity. 

Sometimes these cysts can be treated heroically by inserting 
the hand in the vagina and another hand in the anus and 
crushing the cyst between the two. The serum escapes into the 
abdominal cavity and does no harm. Give soft feed and rest and 
the animal will recover in a day or two. 

Mucous cysts develop in the mucous membrane and fill with 
mucus instead of serum. In the mouth they are sometimes 
called Ranula, and they grow into long, tuberous forms. Slit 
them up full length and wash out with boracic acid. 

Cysts in the thyroid gland are called bronchocele when they 
are filled with water, and goitre when they fill with the solid 
colloid substance. Goitre is very common in dogs and they fre- 
quently develop into malignant growths of the sarcoma type. 

Treatment. — In new growths, paint the parts with iodine 
once a day and give iodide of potash internally. If the skin 
gets sore, cease the treatment for a time and then continue 
again. It is a dangerous operation to attempt to dissect such a 
tumor out. It is, however, an operation that is becoming more 



222 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

common every day, especially in the human. Goitre is also very 
common in the stallion. 

Dentigerous or teeih-b earing cysts are often found. Tu- 
mor teeth may be found most anywhere, but frequently at the 
base of the ear, sometimes in the maxillary sinuses or the frontal 
and also in the testicle or ovaries. When they develop at the 
base of the ear, there will first be seen a little swelling, which 
will grow suddenly and finally rupture. Upon cutting it through 
a molar tooth may be found which seems to grow without a 
matrix. 

Certain inflammations may result in hard fibrous swellings 
which become more or less permanent. The so-called scirrhous 
cord is one example. It is not a true tumor, but is the result of 
inflammation following castration and the botryomyces is sup- 
posed to play a role. Some part of the fibrous mass will usually 
give evidence of an abscess in the wall of which the fungus can 
be found. Several different kinds of these botryomyces have 
been described and probably no particular kind is specific. The 
fungus seems to be a very large sized coccus, which is found in 
masses much like the zooglcea. 

Muscle tumors, or myomata, are not very common. If a 
proliferation of the non-striated muscle they are called leiomy- 
oma; if of the striated, rhabdomyoma. Leiomyoma is the most 
common. In the horse leiomyoma of the kidney has been re- 
ported and in the sheep, of the liver. In the human a common 
tumor is the uterine fibroid, which is a mixture of non-striated 
muscle and fibrous connective tissue. Leiomyoma of the ovary 
is rare. 

DISEASES OF THE BONES. 

All of the lower animals are subject to diseases of the bones. 
The horse especially is more prone to bone disease because of 
high feeding and rapidity of gait. In health bone is insensible, 
but in disease it is very sensitive. 

Inflammation of the bone substance is called osteitis : of the 
periosteum, periostitis; of the marrow, osteomyelitis. The 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 223 

three forms of inflammation are difficult to separate. They are 
usually the result of external injury. 

Inflammation of the bone has the same phenomena as in- 
flammation occurring in connective tissue. It is attended by 
very many of the same changes, but on account of the dense sub- 
stance making up the bone tissue somewhat different results come 
about. Serum, fibrin and pus may be found but they will be less 
in amount. The hard substance of the bone will be absorbed to 
greater or less extent and become replaced by animal matter, 
and there results a deficiency in the earthy or mineral matter. 
The newly formed tissue is the so-called granulation tissue of 
bone, which after a time becomes calcified. This tissue may be 
very vascular and its vascularity may be diminished. Although 
the bone is much enlarged as the result of the inflammation, yet 
it is much lighter. This condition is a rarifying process and it 
is called osteoporosis. The Haversian spaces are much in- 
creased in size and the bone is made porous. Osteoporosis de- 
pends upon increased destruction of the bony tissue. It may 
be observed both in spongy and compact bone. 

Osteosclerosis is analogous to cicatricial formation of the 
fibrous connective tissue and is a result of inflammation of bone. 
It may occur without any apparent cause in senility in the diploe 
of the skull, causing it to become thick and dense. It always 
occurs about carious and necrotic areas, constituting one of the 
chief means by which the sequestrum is surrounded by new 
dense bony tissue. Osteosclerotic exostoses of ivory-like hard- 
ness are called eburnations. Such bone is much heavier than 
normal. 

Periostitis may be acute or chronic. In the acute form the 
morbid changes are found first in the periosteum itself, which 
becomes swollen, hypersemic and more or less infiltrated with 
blood. As a rule infection takes place and suppuration occurs. 
The pus usuually collects between the periosteum and the bone, 
elevating the membrane — (subperiosteal abscess). This fre- 
quently brings about a molecular destruction of the surface of 
the bone, causing the mineral structure to crumble away, and 
leaving softened and excavated areas, while particles of the dis- 



224 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

integrated bone lie free in the surrounding tissue. To this mole- 
cular death and destruction of bone the name caries is given. 

Caries usually occurs in cancellated bone. It is often seen in 
fistulous withers, caused by the pus burroughing down to the 
bone. The depressed surface has a peculiar feel. It is also 
seen in poll-evil and may involve the axis or even the dentata. 
Foot Rot in sheep is often followed by caries. In treating such 
a condition, open up the sinuses or diseased parts and scrape out 
all the diseased portions and a little of the healthy part as well. 
Treat antispetically and the bone will granulate the same as other 
tissues. 

The acute forms terminate either in recovery without dam- 
age to the bone, when the abscesses are absorbed or rupture ex- 
ternally ; or in caries or necrosis, with subsequent chronic dis- 
turbances induced by the proceeds of bone-destruction, that may 
continue during the entire life of the animal or require surgical 
interference. 

Chronic periostitis is divided into fibrous and ossifying forms. 
In fibrous periostitis the characteristic feature is the transforma- 
tion of the periosteum into a dense fibrous tissue, which closely 
adheres to the bone. Ossifying periostitis is sometimes seen in 
tuberculosis and in pregnancy. 

Osteitis and osteomyelitis are almost invariably associated. 
It is almost impossible to find the bone inflamed without the in- 
volvement of the marrow. This inflammation is infectious and 
seems to depend upon the bacteria which are disseminated by* 
the blood and lodge in the vessels of the bone. The disease 
usually begins in the marrow cavities of the long bones, but may 
occur in the short bones, or even in the flat bones of the skull. 
The marrow is first found to be deeply congested and of dark- 
red color. When the bone is sawed through the congested mar- 
row bulges outward. In the majority of cases there is more or 
less suppuration and the pus collects in small cavities, forming 
abscesses in the bone. In severe cases wide spread necrosis may 
result. 

The greater number of cases heal by resolution, some, in 
erosion of the bone, external evacuation of the pus, necrosis and 
then a chronic inflammation set up by the sequestrum. Some 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 225 

cases are fatal in consequence of pyemia. The extent of the 
necrosis that may follow osteomyelitis and periostitis is variable 
acording to the severity of the case. In severe cases the entire 
shaft may die. The dead bone is known as a sequestrum. 
Chronic osteomyelitis results from the acute chiefly by the 
continued irritation of the sequestrum. 

Necrosis of bone is death of the part, due to the nutrition 
being shut off. This is usually caused by injury to the peri- 
osteum. We see necrosis sometimes suddenly develop from ex- 
ternal injuries, such as occur in the bars of the mouth from the 
bit. The bone dies and large pieces slough off — the sequestra. 
When the shaft of the large bone dies this way, it usually soft- 
ens and liquifies and flows out through a fistulous opening. The 
discharge is ichorous. In the meantime new bone is forming 
under the periosteum. It is lacking in the characteristics of 
normal bone but it does very well 

The treatment for necrosis consists first in using slings un- 
less the horse shows inclinattion to lie down. Soon as the pus 
can be located, open up and let it escape. If practical, remove 
all the dead bone. In necrosis of the bars of the mouth (the 
lower jaw, it is not always necessary to operate except where the 
parts are very sore and swollen. Then with a scalpel cut several 
openings down to the bone and this will allow the escape of the 
pus, if any, and quicken the suppuration of the part if necroces, 
and if not, it may prevent it. Always cut down through the 
periosteum; then let alone until the pieces come out. -Do not 
force them out or use forceps. After they are removed, wash 
out with an antispetic solution three or four times a day. The 
patients usually make a nice recovery. If the lesion is in the 
lower bars of the mouth, when the patient is getting well, use 
the common link bit or rubber covered one. If the shafts of 
the long bones are affected, make a large independent opening 
by trephining; remove the sequestrum and wash out the cavity 
twice a day with antiseptics. 






226 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

ATROPHY OF BONE. 

Atrophy of bone is an interstitial absorption of the bony 
substance. This usually takes place in the cancellated portion 
of the bone, but it may occur in the compact bone, which then 
becomes softened and wastes away. It is not an inflammatory 
process although it may start as such because of some injury. 
In this condition the bone becomes diminished in size and weight 
and if it happens in the bicipital groove, it allows the patella to 
become dislocated very easily. 

This condition is incurable, though rational internal treat- 
ment is in order, — such as iron, arsenic, etc. The disease usually 
occurs in old animals. 

CONSTITUTIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS. 

Constitutional osteoporosis, or the big head, is a very pe- 
culiar disease because of which it little understood. The path- 
ological changes seem to be identical with those of localized 
esteoporosis. Some think that it is rheumatic, others that it is 
due to a parasite and consequnetly infectious. It is often found 
in breeding farms and affects large numbers of horses. The 
horse seems to be the only animal that is affected. It is more 
common in driving horses than in the running. 

In this condition we usually find the urine thick and mucil- 
aginous ; the horse tucked up in the flanks and inclined to lie 
down a good deal ; back is arched ; horse grows thin in flesh ; 
but the appetite keeps good. The affected bone is probably 
painful and often the first sign is a peculiar lameness, which is 
intermitting and frequently locates across the loins. It cannot 
always be located and is often mistaken for rheumatism. The 
disease is not confined to the head alone, all the bones are af- 
fected, in fact if the bones of the head become affected, the rest 
of the body is usually affected also and the horse may go to 
pieces all at once. This disease is much more common in the 
south than in the north. 

Some claim to get good results by using iodide of potash and 
trephining into the enlargement and injecting antiseptics. This 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 227 

treatment does not seem to bring good results. Hyposulphite of 
soda and calcium phosphate in equal parts three times a day 
is good. Give a complete change of diet and a change of loca- 
tion. In acute cases death may take place in two or three 
months. In autopsy we find the face bones so soft that you can 
run the fingers through them. They are red and vascular, like 
granulating tissue. 

OSTEOMALACIA. 

Osteomalacia is an acquired disease of the bones of un- 
known origin. It is rather common in the human and bovines, 
but not so in other animals. In the human it usually affects 
adult individuals of the female sex, though it is often seen in 
males. It is thought to be caused by an innutritious diet, es- 
pecially such as would occur among the poorer classes. Preg- 
nancy, rheumatism, infection, intoxication, etc., have been blamed 
for its development. (See Merillat's, Vol. II.) 

The disease is characterized by a soft, plastic condition of 
the bones, which depends uporr the replacement of the original 
calcified osseous tissue with a new uncalcified osteoid tissue. 
The bones become subject to frequent " fracture and increasing 
deformity, while the patient becomes more and more feeble and 
a profound cachexia comes on. Patient may die of exhaustion, 
but much more commonly succumbs to pneumonia or to some 
other intercurrent affection. 

The bones usually retain their lamellar arrangement and their 
external and internal construction are alike histologically un- 
changed, except that the great mass of bone is decalcified and 
the altered bone appears homogeneous, sometime fibrous. The 
decalcification usually begins at the periphery and extends in 
toward the center. Some of the lacunar cells remain -after de- 
calcification but many die. As the disease progresses, the os- 
teoid substance melts away and increases the spaces between 
the columns of bony tissue. 

The marrow is frequently congested and may be hemorrha- 
gic or pigmented, from previous hemorrhages. The bones are 
so soft that they can be easily broken in two. Frequent frac- 



228 THEORY i\rlD PRACTICE 

tures occur and serve to deform the bone. The ordinary form 
of the disease attacks the spinal column and throrax and spreads 
to the limbs and head. The most interesting and important 
changes occur in the pelvis, which yields to the pressure of the 
spinal column and the thighs. It becomes wholly transformed, 
making the bearing of young almost impossible. 

Fragilitis ossium is a hardening of the bones to the extent 
of brittleness and only occurs in old animals. It is due to the 
absorption of the animal matter and inflammation is usually the 
cause. In this condition fractures are very easy to occur. 



RACHITIS. 

Rachitis or rickets is a degenerate softening of the bones 
that occurs only in the young. It is due to some disturbance 
that prevents the ossification of the bone. It is really a con- 
stitutional disease and nutritional disorder. The lesion is char- 
acterized by deficient calcification and increased absorption of 
the bones, which in consequence are permanently altered in size 
and shape. All the parts of the skeleton are affected. The 
bones are usually shortened, thickened, rarified, curved, and 
twisted. The rarified condition is most frequently seen in the 
epiphyseal ends of the long bones, which become considerably 
enlarged. 

This disease is not infrequently congenital, and seems at 
times to be hereditary. Bad hygiene, malnutrition, and certain 
inflammatory diseases seem to be exciting causes. In the con- 
genital form the causes mentioned probably operate upon the 
young through the mother. The disease usually manifests itself 
in the first and second years of life. In cases that live be\ond 
puberty the disease recovers but the deformities persist. Den- 
tition is irregular and delayed. The animal, however, may be 
well up to two to six years and then be affected. It is com- 
mon in puppies that are fed on starchy food. Foals, too. are 
apt to have it. 

The first intimation of the disease is a peculiar lassitude and 
the play is not so lively ; the long bones of the legs begin to bow. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 229 

especially in the front legs, the convexity being outward. Tht 
femur is usually curved anteriorly as well as externally. 

At the articular ends of the bones, where the diaphysis joins 
the epiphysis, instead of a narrow distinct white line, one finds 
an enlargement consisting of porous, irregularly formed bone 
in which there is a widely separated plexiform or fibrillar ar- 
rangement of osteoid substance deficient in lime-salts. These 
areas alternate with others of irregular ossification. The mar- 
row is much like that found in the fetus. Next to the growing 
cartilage of the epiphysis is a zone of osteoid tissue in which 
the bony partitions inclose patches of cartilage. 

The irregular growth and rarefaction of the bones give them 
a pronounced predisposition toward bending and fracture, es- 
pecially of the green-stick variety, while the continued pressure 
produced by the weight of the body results in permanent de- 
formities. 

Treatment. — There should be a complete change of food. 
In the foal, wean him and feed on cow's milk liberally, say a 
gallon three times a day, and more as he grows older. Skim 
milk even if it is sour is better than fresh milk, because it con- 
tains less fatty matter ; in addition give bone dust/ oatmeal, etc., 
but leave out corn and everything that tends to fat. In puppies 
change the food ; give boiled meat with oatmeal, make a strong 
stew of it. If the legs in the foal do not get strong, apply 
splints and bandages. Lime water is good for rickets. Cod 
liver oil is good for puppies. 

HEALING OF BONE (REPAIR). 

When a bone breaks, either completely or incompletely, there 
results more or less hemorrhage ; the surrounding tissues are 
torn and infiltrated with blood; a moderate degree of inflam- 
matory exudation and cellular emigration takes place, but in the 
absence of infection the inflammation subsides after a few days, 
soon to be followed by regeneration. As early as the second day 
the cells of the periosteum begin to grow and proliferate and 
show many karyokinetic figures. In two or three days a vascular 
formative tissue has developed which is rapidly developed and 



230 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

differentiated into osteoid and chondroid tissue. This formative 
tissue produced by the peristeum is known as the external callus ; 
that which extends in between the fragments is known as the 
intermediary callus. The tissue regenerating from the medulla 
is called the myelogenic callus. 

The periosteal callus extends around the fragments like a 
capsule for some little distance on each side of the break. At 
the end of the first week the inner layers of the newly formed 
tissue have become differentiated into osteoid tissue and hyaline 
cartilage especially so in young and in animals like the dog, and 
then calcification sets in and porous bone develops — the bony 
callus. During the succeeding two or three weeks the amount 
of bony callus constantly increases. 

The myelogenic callus is formed by the proliferation of the 
osteoblasts ; it is not of so much importance as the periostea) 
callus. At about the end of the seventh week the periosteal 
callus is totally ossified, consisting of a porous, rather soft, os- 
seous tissue, .which gradually becomes substituted by new bone 
of considerable density by means of lacunar resorption and the 
formation of medullary spaces on the one hand (osteoclasts 
break down bone) and the production of new lamellae or growth 
by apposition on the part of the osteoblasts on the other hand. 
In this way is produced a more solid dense bone — the definitive 
callus. 

When great dislocation of the fragments has occurred, it 
may take several months or even years before the reparative 
processes are fully complete. In case of great dislocation the 
medullary canal is usually not restored. 

Bones unite all right if given a chance. They are stronger 
at the point of fracture after healing than before. It is a pop- 
ular idea that horse's bones will not unite well. Dogs, sheep 
and young steers take care of themselves and assist us but the 
horse never does, that is why we have such poor success in the 
healing of a horse's fracture. When the bones fail to keep in 
position they become intensely inflamed and this is kept up until 
gangrene sets in and ends the life of the animal. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 231 

DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 

Diseases of the brain and nervous system are not as com- 
mon in the lower animals as in the human. The lower animals 
are less liable to fatal results from shocks, as from fright or 
operations. These diseases are divided into three classes — (1) 
cerebral, when applied to the brain; (2) spinal, to the cord; (3) 
peripheral, to the nerves. Paralysis of one whole side of the 
body is called paraplegia. 

On account of the decussation of the nerves in the medulla, 
and in fact all along the spinal cord, injuries on one side of the 
brain produce paralysis on the other side of the body. The ef- 
fects of sudden injuries to the brain are very noticeable, but 
slowly encroaching injuries are very puzzling in the effects which 
they produce. Any derangement of the nervous system nas a 
tendency to produce either an increased functional activity or a 
depression, that is, hypersesthesia or paralysis. 

Cerebral Congestion. — This disease is called vertigo, 
megrims, and sometimes blind staggers. It is due to a disturb- 
ance of the circulation resulting in a hyperaemic condition of the 
brain. It is more or less sudden in its attacks and it is usually 
due to pressure on the large veins of the neck by ill-fitting har- 
ness. It may be due to a plethoric condition of the animal and is 
associated with torpidity of the liver and indigestion, which re- 
sults in paralysis of the pneumogastric nerve. 

The horse will often stop, shake his head and let his ears 
droop ! ; the muscles of the head and neck twitch, the eyes pro- 
trude, and he may become blind ; his nostrils will be dilated and 
his breathing stertorous. He rears and plunges, loses co-ordina- 
tion and goes down in a heap. The shock to the nervous sys- 
tem causes him to sweat, and while down he will often froth at 
the mouth. 

While the animal is down dash cold water on his head and 
face. Take off his harness and give him plenty of air. As soon 
as the fit is over learn the causes of it and remove them if pos- 
sible. If plethora is at the bottom of it, lessen his feed and 
give purgatives. These attacks often come from stomach and 
liver troubles. 



232 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

Cerebral Anaemia. — This is a bloodless condition of the 
brain. There results a loss of motor and sensory power and 
the mucous membranes are pale. There will be great nervous 
prostration from weakness and debility. The treatment should 
be rational ; treat the general symptoms to supply the body with 
nutrition. 

Cerebral Embolus. — In this condition some of the blood 
vessels of the brain become plugged by a clot and thrombosis 
results. Paralysis of all parts of the brain supplied by these 
occurs. The clot is usually formed by reason of weak cardiac 
power or valvular insufficiency. The thrombosis is similar to 
softening of the brain. The symptoms are stupor, weak minded- 
ness and pale mucous membranes. 

Apoplexy. — As applied to the brain this disease means cere- 
bral hemorrhage. It is characterized by a sudden loss of both 
motor and sensory power. The hemorrhage may occur in one of 
three ways: first, in rupture of the blood vessels of the brain; 
second, from the filling of the ventricles with serum; and third, 
from a hemorrhage into the arachnoid space. The first and 
third ways usually prevail in the horse. 

The disease comes on suddenly always : the horse falls to the 
ground, froths at the mouth and the special senses are sus- 
pended, — he cannot hear, taste, smell or see. If the case is se- 
vere death will result in from a few hours to eight or ten days. 
If not severe, the clot may become absorbed. The horse never 
fully recovers— he is liable to go mad in any future disturbance. 

It is not considered safe to bleed an animal in this condition. 
Elevate the head, pack it in ice and keep the rest of the body 
warm by clothing and friction. Give an enema and inhalations 
of ammonia, hypodermic injections of alcohol, atropine, etc. 
Never give medicine by the mouth in such a case, because the 
function of deglutition is suspended. 

Cerebral Meningitis. — This disease is inflammation of the 
coverings of the brain. Cerebritis is inflammation of the brain 
substance. It is not possible to draw the line between the two 
as in the human. The condition exists in two forms, acute and 
chronic. The meningitis is usually due to idiopathic or traumatic 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 233 

influences. The idiopathic influences are exposure, exhaustion, 
sunstroke, etc. 

Semeiology. — There is marked congestion of the visible mu- 
cous membranes, especially those of the eye. There is muscular 
twitching and excitement of the animal ; the twitching sometimes 
amounts to spasm of the limb or of two limbs. These spasms 
sometimes involve the whole body, producing cerebral convul- 
sions. The period of excitement is usually followed by one of 
depression, and then an abnormal activity. In some cases it 
amounts to stupor or coma; but in meningitis this stupor period 
is comparatively short and the excitement returns. There is 
a well-marked constitutional disturbance until the animal be- 
comes delirious and he tries to< climb over the manger. This 
desire to climb comes on during the first twenty-four hours. 
Convulsions may come on at the same time and throw him down, 
but he gets up and goes on climbing again. During the stupor 
he will hang his head and seems almost inclined to fall. 

The symptoms of meningitis are more violent than those of 
cerebritis. In cerebritis there is less fever and less excitement 
and the periods of stupor are more complete and longer con- 
tinued. In cerebritis the animal will stand a great part of his 
time with his head against the wall or manger ; his appetite is 
usually lost, partly due to fever and partly due to the loss of 
sense. After a time, particularly in meningitis, the animal will 
lose his power of co-ordination, goes down and is unable to get 
up again; he will lie prone and keep his legs going. During the 
comatose condition the stupor can be broken by moving the legs 
in an unnatural condition, — as by crossing them. Put your 
finger in the eye or ear and no resistence is offered. Death 
usually takes place in two or three days. 

Cerebral meningitis runs a very rapid course compared with 
the human, terminating in the lower animals sometimes as 
quickly as the end of the first day. The differential diagnosis 
between it and blind staggers is quite simple : in blind staggers 
there is no fever, no congestion of the mucous membranes and 
the eyes are not bloodshot, while the very opposite occurs in 
mad staggers or cerebral meningitis, the bloodshot eyes being 



234 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

a special characteristic. Blind staggers usually yields to treat- 
ment while mad staggers is difficult. 

Treatment. — Purge the animal with aloes and give diuretics 
— potassium salts. Allay the nervous irratibility with gelsemium, 
aconite or belladonna. Belladonna is particularly indicated on 
account of its contracting the arterioles. An ice poultice to 
the head is good, but the horse is dangerous to handle so do noi 
get caught in the stall in trying to apply the ice. It is very 
difficult to do much for the horse in this disease and recoveries 
are rare. In case of recovery give the animal three or four 
months' rest. 

It is difficult to diagnose this disease with any degree of cer- 
tainty. At autopsy the meninges are thickened, with adhesions 
here and there. You will find coagulated lymph in the ventricles, 
also in the sulci and other parts of the brain. 

Cerebral Softening. — In this disease there is a softening of 
the brain substance, which is altered in color. It is sometimes 
quite liquid and is softened always, especially in spots. It looks 
like abscesses and the color varies from dirty pink to white. 
Many cases have been seen where the cerebrum looked like pus. 
Cerebral softening is known among horsemen as a ''dummy." 
Such cases are quite common. It is hard to say what is the 
cause, but we think that the condition comes from acute or sub- 
acute attacks of cerebritis or from interrupted circulation in the 
brain. In the human it is caused by long-continued use of 
alcoholic drinks. The disease is in reality nothing more than 
pyogenesis of the brain. 

The symptoms are very marked but require close observation 
to detect them. The horse is more or less stupid and seems to 
lack ambition and often staggers. Mild excitement will arouse 
him for a time and you must look out for this in examining a 
horse for soundness. The animal looks stupid, will stub his toe 
when backed out of the stall. His ears may be moving back 
and forth and his face lacks expression. To tell a dummy just 
observe him as he backs out of a stall or turns around in it. 
He lacks complete power of co-ordination. Staggers and wab- 
bles a little. Cross his feet and they will stay there. The 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 235 

treatment is useless. The real "dummy/' however is due to 
chronic dropsy of the lateral ventricles. 

Myelitis. — This disease is inflammation of the spinal cord. 
The meninges are usually involved. The causes are violence in 
the form of external injuries, disease of the bones of the verte- 
brae, and exposure to dampness and extremes of temperature. 
If often comes on without any appreciable cause. 

Semeiology. — When the meninges of the cord are first af- 
fected, the first symptoms will be tonic spasms of the limbs, 
usually the hind ones. This is probably because it affects the 
loins first and then extends forward. The spasms are often so 
severe as to jerk the horse off his feet and throw him down. 
He stamps spasmodically and involuntarily. If the cord itself 
is first affected there is an absence of these spasms and instead 
there is a loss of motor power. You will notice that the hocks 
dip into each other, the toes will turn out, the gait will be wab- 
bly, — no spasm and no delirium. The motor paralysis increases 
so that finally the animal cannot move without falling; if he 
does not move, he will stand braced from twenty- four to forty- 
eight hours. While lying his expression is haggard and he looks 
in great distress. 

In chronic meningitis the animal is very excitable, the least 
bit of excitement affecting him. He will also manifest nervous 
twitching. 

Paresis. — This disease is ordinarily spoken of as paralysis 
or it may be called- palsy. It is a loss of the motor power as 
concerning the voluntary movements of the body. It is a symp- 
tom of other diseases. Paraplegia is the most common form of 
the paralysis, — meaning paralysis of the body transversely. 

The causes are centric or reflex. Centric is due to external 
violence, perhaps severing of the cord, or anything that will pro- 
duce pressure on the cord, as fracture of the vertebrae. Reflex 
causes must be referred to the periphery of the body, from whence 
a disturbance is carried to the nerve centers. We see this in 
canine distemper and in nephritis in all females. The reflex 
form of paraplegia resists treatment very much. It is especially 
likely to occur from indigestion ; impaction of the rumen in cattle 
may cause it. 



236 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

The symptoms show a partial or complete loss of power, 
usually the motor. If the cause is reflex, there is a loss also of 
the sensory. Constipation is usually present ; the muscles around 
the neck of the bladder are relaxed and the urine dribbles away. 
Prick the hind parts of the horse and he will not show any pain. 
If this is done in the dog he will cry out. This shows that the 
motor nerves are affected and not the sensory. 

Hemiplegia is paralysis of one whole side of the body or the 
part. The cerebrum is usually affected. In mild cases a rupt- 
ured blood vessel may be the cause. Recovery is rare and also 
the disease itself in the lower animals. 

Treatment. — Remove the cause. If impaction is at the bot- 
tom, then give such drugs that will loosen the bowels. Dogs 
usually recover from hemiplegia if they have not been attacked 
with distemper. Bitches usually die. Give the animal rectal 
injections with hot and cold packs. Give diuretics and stimu- 
lants. 

Hydrocephalus. — This is rare, especially in the adult. It is 
seen in the fetus and renders parturition difficult. The symp- 
toms are very similar to those of cerebritis, but more mild in 
character. The animal is stupid, keeps getting more so until 
coma sets in and he dies. The effusion is usually in the sub- 
arachnoid space. 

In the early stages of hydrocephalus there is fever and a lit- 
tle irritability. The stupor and insensibility keep on increasing 
with occasional epileptic fits until the disease terminates in coma, 
then convulsions and death. 

Pathology. — In autopsy, on opening the cranial cavity we no- 
tice that the brain is altered in form ; the fissure between the 
hemispheres is almost obliterated. In cutting down through the 
corpus callosum you find water in the ventricles, varying in 
quantity from 1 to 8 ounces. Upon emptying the water out we 
find the septum lucidum broken down, making one cavity. The 
arachnoid is thickened and opaque, particularly over the cere- 
bellum and it is often studded with spots of inflammation. The 
fluid in the ventricles is usually pale, thin and watery, but some- 
times quite turbid. Effusion may take place in the lateral ven- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 237 

tricles, also between the cord and its coverings. A horse so 
affected in the chronic form is a dummy. 

The treatment is not very satisfactory. In mild cases the 
disease may give way to iodide of potash, iron, vegetables bit- 
ters, or mild counter-irritants externally. Keep the animal 
quiet; give soft diet and rest. 

TABES DORSALIS. 

Tabes dorsalis or locomotor ataxia, is the same as sclerosis 
of the cord. It is sometimes called "crick back." In the do- 
mestic animals the disease affects the white matter of the cord. 
In the human the gray matter may become involved. This con- 
dition is a contraction and hardening of the columns of the cord. 
In the horse it is usually the supralateral column. The infero- 
lateral may also become affected. The loins are about the first 
to become affected, but the disease may start in the cerebellum 
and travel down the cord. The motor columns are affected more 
than the sensory. 

Etiology. — The disease usually develops as the result of ex- 
posure to cold and storms, especially if the horse is not in good 
condition. It may occur in old horses and debilitated ones. In 
all probability defective cardiac power is the exciting cause, and 
if an antemortem clot should form in the aorta, some particles 
of it would be apt to float away and lodge in the vessels of the 
cord. The minute vessels of the cord are easily dilated and 
torn and the gray matter can be easily ruptured. In. cases of 
syphilis in horses this condition is usually present. 

Semeiology. — Tabes dorsalis comes on slowly. We notice 
first an unsteady gait behind, especialy if the animal turns 
quickly. If the disease originates in the cord, then the lesion 
seems to be confined to the hind limbs; if in the cerebellum, then 
the animal is wabbly both before and behind. The eyes squint, 
which is particular evidence of sclerosis of the cerebellum. If 
the lesion is in the cerebellum the animal will walk in a circle 
and the more severe the lesion, the smaller the circle he will 
walk in. The paralysis increases continually and usually the 
symptoms are increased also. In an acute case the muscles of 



238 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

the hind parts waste also. The inclination to throw the weight 
upon the fore limbs on account of the increasing paralysis causes 
the muscles of the hind limbs to be inactive and therefore to 
waste away. 

In the horse we have no evidence of acute pain; in the hu- 
man it is said that there are pains in the legs at times. 

Treatment. — There is no treatment that will cure the dis- 
ease and the prognosis must therefore be incurable. If you 
give strychnine, electricity, bromine, iodine, iron or arsenic and 
liberal diet with gentle exercise, this course of treatment will 
prolong life. 

TETANUS. 

Tetanus is a continuous tonic spasm of the muscles of the 
body. Usually the voluntary muscles are the ones involved, but 
the involuntary muscles may be involved also. 

Etiology. — The bacillus Nicolaier is the specific cause. This 
germ was discovered in 1884. Nicolaier found the germ in the 
earth and introduced it into animals and produced tetanus. The 
germ is drum-shaped carrying its spore in one end. It lives 
in the dirt everywhere but it is anaerobic. For this reason the 
disease will result from small wounds which easily close up 
more readily than from large wounds that are open and ex- 
posed to the air. The germ will not grow where there is free 
access of the oxygen. More than one-half of the tetanus cases 
come from small nail pricks that hardly lame the animal. All 
animals are subject to it but the horse, perhaps more than others. 
Different parts of the body are affected. When the whole body 
is affected it is called Orthotonos. \\ nen the masseter mus- 
cles are affected it is called Trismus. Both forms are com- 
mon. The tetanus germ must be associated with other germs in 
order to set up its infection ; it cannot work alone. 

Semeiology. — The symptoms are clearly diagnostic. The 
first thing you will notice is a contraction of the masseter mus- 
cles. They will be drawn around the mouth. The animal seems 
to have little difficutly in eating and he secretes an enormous 
amount of saliva. After a few hours he becomes excitable, the 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 239 

nose is distended, the facial muscles twitch and any little disturb- 
ance excites the animal. The eyeballs seem to be retracted in 
the orbit and look small. The membrane conjunctiva is liable to 
be raised constantly over the eyeball and makes jumps over 
it, and when the head is raised will cover the eyeball. An in- 
telligent horseman will notice the beginning stiffness of gait. 
Trismus is usually well marked; after twenty-four or forty-eight 
hours the development seems to be quite gradual, other times 
violent, in which case the animal finally will soon die. The 
spasms which were at first in the masseter finally affect the 
whole body. The dorsal, cervical and gluteal muscles are the 
most affected. The tail is elevated and it maintains that posi- 
tion and trembles. The respiration is hard drawn and the nos- 
trils are dilated ; the ears stand like sticks, the limbs are stiff and 
are straddled ; locomotion is very difficult ; no elasticity of the 
joints ; flanks are tucked up ; ribs are tightly drawn, due to con- 
traction of the intercostals. As the pain becomes intense, the 
animal sweats profusely and is very excitable. The spasms 
come on from time to time and between times the muscles re- 
lax a little, but not enough to cause much hope. The action is 
spasmodic. During this exasperation of the spasms the gluteal 
muscles, which are so strong at the hind legs, often shoot out 
behind like a goose flying, and the action throws the animal off 
the floor and he cannot rise until the muscles relax. An animal 
usually does not rise after going down. The spasms are easily 
brought on, — a rat or loud talking or the presence of a stranger 
may be the cause. The saliva is ropy, the pulse grows hard ; the 
appetite remains good but the bowels are inactive. The peristal- 
tic action is interfered with. 

As a rule the horse persistently stands and if he can get up 
after being down, it is a favorable sign. Death comes, from two 
causes, — syncope and asphyxia. The muscles of the throat 
contract and cause the asphyxia. Death occurs in from two to 
ten days. 

Prognosis. — When a spasm throws a horse down, there is 
little hope. If the animal can eat and the trismus is slight and 
the respiration is not affected then the results may not be so 



240 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

bad. We find by experience that if the animal lives fifteen to 
twenty days he will usually get well. 

Treatment. — There is no specific treatment. Give a rational 
course toward allaying the symptoms, bearing in mind that if 
the animal lives two weeks he will probaby recover. Pay at- 
tention to the hygiene. If it is cold, clothe him warmly; if it is 
hot, keep the animal cool. Keep away exciting conditions. Give 
linseed gruel — about two gallons, and keep this Before him all 
the time. Give him nothing else to drink. Let the horse have 
as much of the gruel as he will drink. The gruel tends to loosen 
the bowels. Purgatives are useless. It is a good plan to put the 
horse in a sling. Bear in mind that he cannot recover on his 
side. 

Give drugs that will quiet the nervous system, such as bel- 
ladonna, prussic acid, morphine, ether, chloral hydrate, lobelia 
and gelsemium. If the tetanus antitoxin can be given in time it 
will cure the disease, but it must be given early. Some claim 
that this is useless, but it has not proven so in my experience. 
Give about 40 cc for the first day then 20 cc the second ; the 
third day the same. If on the fourth day the animal is hold- 
ing his own, then give another dose of 20 cc. Keep this up tor 
ten days. If however the animal begins to grow worse, then 
drop the serum treatment. 

The following is a good prescription : 

Gelsemium Fl. Ex 1 ounce 

Lobelia Fl. Ex 1 ounce 

Belladonna Fl. Ex 1 ounce 

Aqua ad qs 8 ounces 

Give one ounce every 3-4 hours. 

If possible give per mouth; but if there is much trismus, dil- 
ute it and give per rectum. If administered this way let it be 
about blood heat. A hypodermic of 4 grains of morphine three 
or four times a day is good with this prescription. 
The post mortem shows very few lesions. 






OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 241 

CHOREA. 

Chorea is convulsions of the voluntary muscles and it is most 
common in dogs. In the dog it occurs oftener in the legs while 
in the horse it is seen most often in the neck and hind quarters. 
In the horse it seems to arise as an original lesion while in the 
dog and in the human it usually follows some other disease. In 
the horse it may come on suddenly from indigestion, particularly 
that which arises from over-feeding. In dogs and children it 
may occur from worms in the intestines. In all these cases there 
is an increased irritability of the nerves. 

Semeiology. — The disease comes on suddenly,, especially in a 
case of distemper in the dog. The disease often attacks a fore- 
leg which will be lame for a day or two before any jerking 
begins. If you make the animal step on the affected leg by tak- 
ing the other up, he will go down and when there is jerking in 
it he cannot bear any weight upon it at all. The- condition rap- 
idly spreads to the whole body and the animal finally dies from 
exhaustion. During these attacks the dog will whine, particularly 
if alone. There probably is not much acute pain, only general 
distress. The jerking may be continuous night and day. Event- 
ually the animal becomes emaciated, especially the dog. 

Some think that the disease is transmissible, so much so that 
animals thus affected are condemned for breeding purposes. At 
any rate the offspring of choreic stallions are liable to have the 
disease. Horsemen call it shivers. In the stall the horse will show 
his trouble by putting his leg out to one side in a peculiar man- 
ner. In backing out of the stall, he may take a few steps all 
right and then be unable to go further. The tail may shiver as 
well as other parts. Chorea is liable to become chronic and all 
chronic cases of this disease are without exception incurable. 

There is no special lesion revealed by the post mortem, ex- 
cept that in long-standing cases we find thickening of the arach- 
noid, effusion into the arachnoid space and hardening of the 
outer layer of the cord. In acute cases in the dog the medulla 
show softening. 

Treatment. — Chorea is very unsatisfactory to treat. In severe 
cases it is incurable. Constitutional tonic treatment is about all 



242 THEORY AND PRACTICE 






that can be done for the animal. Give a liberal diet, correct the 
hygiene and avoid fatigue. For drugs give iron, zinc, copper and 
in some cases small doses of strychnine. You can combine with 
these cinchona and gentian. In case of whining dogs you can 
relieve that by combining a vegetable with a mineral tonic. 

If a valuable puppy gets chorea following distemper give it 
a stimulant. Nitrate of silver in bread pills is very good; give 
for a week and alternate with sulphate copper or arsenic tonic. 
Recoveries are rare. 

DISEASES OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. 

The diseases of the reproductive system are not so common 
in the lower animals as in the human. There are only two speci- 
fic diseases, the malignant and simple pox. 

SIMPLE POX. 

In its nature simple pox is a phlyctenoid eruption. The erup- 
tions occur on the vulva and extend into the vagina. It is never 
seen in the sheep, pig or dog. It is common in the human and in 
the mare. The eruption is a simple blister called a phlyctena. 
This occurs in the male sometimes on the body of the penis. 
The period of inoculation is from 24 hours to 3 days. The lips 
of the vulva swell as large as the wrist. In the stallion the 
sheath swells. The disease is transmissible from one animal to 
another by contact. No special constitutional disturbance is 
produced. The disease is self-limiting and if copulation ceases 
recovery will take place in 5 to 10 days. 

Treatment. — Give cool laxatives and mild stimulants. For a 
local application use sulphate of zinc (5 grains) to the ounce of 
water. Bathe the parts three times a day. This disease is also 
known as coital exanthema. 

MALIGNANT POX. 

Malignant pox is known as dourine or equine syphilis. The 
disease was brought to this country from France. In 1817 it was 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 243 

known in Prussia; in 1821 in Hungary; in 1836 in Italy. It has 
never been known in Belgium or England. The special pathology 
of this disease was gotten from Hanover. 

Etiology. — The trypanosoma equiperdum is the specific para- 
site causing the disease. It is a single-celled animal parasite. 
This parasite was discovered in South Africa in connection with 
the tetse fly disease and sleeping sickness. The lesions resemble 
syphilis in the human, but the two are different. Syphilis is 
transmissible in the human but dourine is not in the horse. A 
syphilitic stallion cannot impregnate a mare. If a syphilitic mare 
should conceive she will abort or else the foal will be born 
dead. 

Semeiology. — The pustules on the vulva are the first notice- 
able indications of the disease. They may occur on the glans 
penis and are accompanied by the swelling of the sheath. In the 
mare the vulva swells. The appetite is bad and the animal 
becomes lazy. If the disease occurs in an acute stage, it will 
probably kill ; if it is chronic, in the course of a month or so the 
animal begins to be wabbly in his hind parts. Sometimes the 
pustules heal and are replaced by others. After a month or so 
pigmentation takes place in the skin, — on the inside of the thighs, 
scrotum, vulva, and elbow. The pigmented patches are about 
the size of a quarter and turn white. The pigmentation is a pro- 
gressive process. The hair gets shabby and the animal wab- 
bles more and more. As weakness develops the legs swell and 
in 12 to 16 weeks a profuse muco-purulent discharge takes 
place from the nose. The scrotum and testicles may be very 
large. 

In the mare the mammary glands swell and the clitoris and 
the connective tissue are protruded. The mucous membrane of 
the clitoris is of yellowish color. The subacute runs into the 
chronic. 

Although such animals should recover in after years yet they 
should be retired from breeding, which always revives the dis- 
ease. 

The only peculiar morbid anatomy is in the spinal cord, but 
the locomotor ataxia is different from that of other diseases. 

Treatment, — Dourine is a contagious disease ; therefore get 



244 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

rid of all the animals that are affected. If necessary quarantine 
them. The old quarantine laws allowed the animals to go back 
into the stud after four or five years, but it was found out that 
they gained no results. 

URETHRITIS. 

In stallions this condition comes always from serving mares 
that are affected with leucorrhoea. It resembles gonorrhoea in 
the human. It is characterized by pus, but no germ has been 
isolated as has been done in the human. 

The micturition is painful. 

Retire the animal for a few days. Give a purgative and saw 
palmetto. Use the zinc sulphate solution as an external applica- 
tion twice a day. 

Bull Burnt is similar to urethritis but it affects the covering 
of the penis rather than the uretha. It is usually the result of 
too frequent copulation. Inject into the sheath a solution of ace- 
tate of lead — 4 ounces to the pint of water. Manipulate the part 
and repeat night and morning. 

Burnt Dog is a foulness of the sheath from the accumulation 
of natural secretion under the sheath, which produces a catarrhal 
discharge. Use the same treatment as for the preceding. 

PHIMOSIS. 

Phimosis is the inability of the animal to extend the penis. 
This may be due to congenital malformation. It may be due to 
ulcer or to some other interference, as edema of the sheath. 

This condition can be recognized by the foulness of the 
sheath in which the animal urinates. 

Treatment. — Cast the animal and insert a probe-pointed bist- 
oury and cut down the sheath about 1 to 2 inches. Bring the 
organ down and wash off the parts. The sheath should be 
cleaned out night and morning until the wound has begun to 
granulate. Then use your white solution. 

Horses may get the notion that they cannot draw the penis 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 245 

down and consequently urinate in the sheath. Put a twitch on 
the animal and bring the penis down. 

PARAPHIMOSIS. 

Paraphimosis is the inability on the part of an animal to re- 
tract the penis. There may be a swelling of the sheath and the 
penis itself may be swollen. Following castration we find a typi- 
cal example of this disease, probably on account of the malnutri- 
tion of the penis. The penis swells mostly on the dorsal side 
and the covering becomes tense and glistening, sometimes gan- 
grenous. Such a severe case is usually due to local irritation. 
Paralysis of the penis may be the cause. 

Treatment. — If the condition comes from castration, you will 
have to reduce the swelling. Give diuretics internally and plenty 
of exercise and fresh water. If it comes from injury and in- 
flammation has set in, put on ice pack tight upon the horse's 
body near the penis. Keep this up until the swelling goes down. 
Give diuretics and laxatives. Sometimes we find that the penis is 
cold and cyanotic ; scarify it from six to a dozen cuts and foment 
it with tepid water. This will produce a dilation of the vessels 
and consequent hemorrhage. In case of paralysis try the cold 
water treatment by throwing very cold water upon the retractor 
muscles. Do this twice a day. The electric battery can be ap- 
plied here and strychnine internally. After putting the penis in 
place then put a bandage around the body to hold the wet packs 
in place. 

In the dog you will find that the penis is purple and congested. 
Scarify it and bathe the parts with water. If you cannot do bet- 
ter, amputate. 

DROPSY OF THE OVARIES. 

Dropsy of the ovaries follows congestion and large cysts re- 
sult. The condition is common in old cows and in the human, but 
not in the other animals. When the dropsy is extensive the 
affected ovary cannot be bred from. When a chronic congestion 
occurs as in this condition, the animal is always in heat. But 



246 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

it is an unnatural condition, and the animal will not breed. Such 
animals seem to change their form -in time and become more 
masculine in looks. They do not make good breeders or good 
feeders and the best thing is to spay them. The cystic ovary can 
be crushed and the fluid allowed to escape into the abdominal 
cavity. 

HYDROMETRA. 

Hydrometra is dropsy of the womb. The mixture that fills 
the womb is a mixture of serum and pus. It is the result of long- 
continued inflammation. It may follow parturition and it may 
follow without any assignable cause. . 

If you are sure of your diagnosis open the os uteri with 
the hand and empty the womb. Wash out with boracic acid. 
After a week or two, change to sulphate of zinc. Give a tonic 
of iron and alcohol. 

NYMPHOMANIA. 

This is a condition where the mare is always in heat. The 
clitoris is in a state of chronic congestion. Excess of passion in 
the male is called satyriasis, but the disease is more common in 
the human than among the lower animals. Females in this con- 
dition are in heat all the time, but as a rule they do not breed. 
The disease is more common in the cow than in other females 
and it is due to luxurious living. Sometimes it may be caused 
by cancer of the clitoris and in such cases it should be amputated. 
Males should be put to harder work and the hygiene attended to. 
Females should be spayed. 

HYSTERIA. 

Hysteria is an excessive nervous condition seen in females 
only. The whole body is in a hyperaesthetic condition. It usu- 
ally comes on with the period of oestrum. The congenital organs 
arc congested and in the attacks that follow the symptoms are 
similar to those of tetanus. The spasms may throw the animal 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 247 

off the feet and are manifested by kicking, biting, etc., The tem- 
perature runs high. Try bleeding the animal. If this does not 
work give gelsemium. Give a purgative and keep the animal 
quiet. 

LEUCORRHOEA. 

Leucorrhoea is a muco-purulent discharge from the vagina 
and uterus. The discharge is whitish in color and in most 
cases it is caused by a retained placenta. We also see this 
trouble in fillys that have never been bred. The mare is usually 
unthrifty, becomes thin in flesh, has a staring coat and a more 
or less purulent discharge. The trouble may run on for years 
and become chronic. 

Wash out the vagina and look for ulceration. If present 
treat the sore places with pure boracic acid in the powdered state, 
and keep this up for about two weeks. Give iron, arsenic and 
vegetable bitters. 

ONANISM, 

The word "onanism" means alone. It is. really masturbation 
on the part of the animal. The act becomes a habit and leads 
to general debility. It produces softening of the brain and will 
eventually cause death. Horses are very subject to it and the 
habit ruins young studs. The offspring of such an animal will 
be weak and inferior. The horse should be watched. and exer- 
cised. Attend to the hygiene. Various mechanical appliances 
are used to prevent the acts of self abuse, and when these fail 
castration is the only remedy. 

DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF SPECIAL SENSE. 
SIMPLE OPHTHALMIA. 

Simple ophthalmia is inflammation of the conjunctiva. It is 
usually the result of some foreign body being introduced into 
the eye or the extension of some inflammation through the lach- 



248 J THEORY AND PRACTICE 

rymal ducts in catarrh or glanders. It is often caused by facing a 
cold wind in long drives or from caustic substances getting into 
the eye. 

The eyelids are more or less swollen and the extreme sensi- 
tiveness of the eye causes the animal to keep the eyelids shut. 
There is more or less pain and a copious discharge of tears. The 
cornea becomes inflamed if the condition lasts long and it be- 
comes opaque. 

Examine the eye for a foreign body and if found remove it. 
This is best done with a curved pair of forceps holding the 
curved side toward the eye so as not to injure it. Foreign bodies 
become embedded in the mucous membrane, which closes around 
them, so look carefully. You will recognize the presence of one 
by the local swelling where the body is and you can often as it 
were break down the mucous membrane and get at it. 

After removing the object, treat with anodyne and mucilag- 
inous substances. Common salt and distilled water are good 
to allay the inflammation. Use one-half dram to the pint of water. 
The white of an egg introduced into the eye is also good — it lubri- 
cates the surface and relieves the irritation. Linseed tea or a 
grain of linseed introduced into the eye is good. In a very bad 
case keep the animal in the dark and apply cocaine occasionally. 

HAEMATOIDES FUNGUS. 

This is a bleeding fungus. It is a medullary soft cancer often 
seen in cattle. It usually starts in small purplish spots on the 
conjunctiva. It is malignant and spreads through the eye, often 
working back to the bone. The putrefactive matter of the ulcer- 
ation causes cachexia and the animal may die from the absorp- 
tion of the products of cytolysis. 

The only hope is to remove the growth in the early stage. 
If the eye is involved remove it and cauterize. When the granu- 
lations fill up the eye about one-half, use the white lotion to pre- 
vent further growth. The animal should be sent to the abbatoir 
on account of the liability of recurrence. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 249 

ENTROPIUM. 

Entropium is the turning in of one eyelid or both. They 
bring the eyelashes in contact with the eye and irritate it. The 
cornea is more or less cloudy and there is a discharge of muco- 
purulent matter from the eye, giving the animal a disagreeable 
appearance. 

The treatment is surgical and involves the removal of an 
elliptical section from the eyelids, thus shortening them up. The 
result of the operation as a rule is pleasing. The condition is 
very common in dogs. 

ECTROPIUM. 

In this condition the eyelids are too short; they turn the 
lashes out and expose the cornea and the conjunctiva. This is 
not so painful as in entropium, but it is unsightly. 

In mild cases we may use astringents such as sulphate of zinc 
(2 grains to the ounce), or a saturate solution of borax, or cold 
tea. Apply the solution two or three times a day. If this fails 
we sometimes sew the lids together the same as in dislocation 
of the eye. We may be required to cut out an eliptical portion, 
but this is rare. If the zinc lotion proves too weak, then in- 
crease its strength to 5 grains to the ounce. 

LEUCOMA. 

Leucoma is an opaque cornea. The cornea is white. This 
condition may be produced by blows, which, however, are not se- 
vere enough to break the cornea, but which often produce a per- 
manent cloudiness. The more dense and organized the exudate, 
the more permanent will be the opacity; and the whiter it is, the 
more likely is it to be incurable. While it is blue (pale blue) 
there is hope of recovery; but as it becomes white, the chance 
diminishes. Sometimes there is a white patch on the cornea at 
the point of injury. This will remain permanent, but if the 
contusion is mild, the exudate will become absorbed. For local 
treatment apply warm fomentations to the eye and give ano- 



250 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

dynes. Later use local applications of saline or borated water. 
Give stimulants. In three or four days change to distilled or 
fluid extract of witch hazel — the distilled can be used clear, 
while the extract should be distilled 75 per cent. Follow this 
with sulphate of zinc or silver nitrate — 5 grains to the ounce. 
In old cases use stronger solutions — say 10 grains to the ounce. 
Always use distilled water when treating the eye. 

ULCERATION OF THE CORNEA. 

This is liable to occur in connection with any wound, but it 
is often found in distemper in dogs. The eyelids become glued 
together and pus accumulates inside them and irritates the 
cornea. The ulceration may occur in two or three places in the 
cornea, and then the sores become confluent. Unless the lids 
are softened and the pus let out, the cornea may be eaten 
through and the aqueous humor escape. 

Remove the cause; reduce the conjunctivitis and touch the 
ulcer lightly with lunar caustic. In case the cornea is not 
ruptured, granulations may form in patches on its surface and 
these will be red as beefsteak. In such cases cauterize every 
three days with lunar caustic. 

KERATITIS. 

Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea. It is a constitu- 
tional disease and one especially peculiar to cattle. It is very 
common and often runs through a whole herd. This would 
indicate that we have to deal with a specific germ but as yet 
none has been found. The disease runs a regular course and it 
is usually benign. 

SemeioJogy. — Tears runs down the cheek. The eyelids are 
more or less swollen and the cornea is usually ulcerated. Acute 
cellulitis is also present. The cornea is opaque and ulcerated. 
Recovery may take place in 4-12 days, but in some cases the 
cornea may become punctured, the aqueous humor escape and 
the eye become destroyed. 

Treatment.— Keep the patient in the dark. Apply warm fo- 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 251 

mentations with salt water. Do not let the iris remain in one 
position too long a time. Inject a little atropine to dilate the 
pupil and if this will not make it contract in a few days then 
use calabar bean. After the inflammation has run its course use 
sulphate of zinc lotion. Give laxatives and soft food. 

FILARIA OCULI. 

The filaria is a little thread-like worm which is sometimes 
found in the anterior chamber of the eye. This is especially seen 
in Canada. It is not known how the parasite gets into the eye, 
but probably through smaller worms which develop in the blood. 
The worm is ^-1 inch long and is as slender as 60 cotton thread. 
Sometimes it lies quietly and sometimes it flashes about in the 
humor. This movement stimulates the glands to secrete more 
humor and the eye bulges out, causing great distress. 

Treatment. — In case of the horse, lay the animal on his back, 
turn the head on the poll and fasten the upper eyelid back with 
a few stitches. Do not use a speculum to hold the lids in place. 
First apply a little cocaine; some use chloroform, but I do not 
think that this is necessary. With an ordinary scalpel cut into 
the cornea on the upper side of the eye. Make an incision about 
an eighth of an inch long and then press out the humor. The 
parasite will usually come out with the humor, but if not, press 
it out. You may have to take it out with a pair of forceps. 
This operation is called the Sclero-corneal operation. The 
wound will heal by first intention, the humor will be renewed 
and the eye will be all right in a few days. Never make the in- 
cision on the lower side of the eye, else the humor will run out as 
fast as secreted. Before operating pass the blade of the scalpel 
through a flame to insure that it is sterile. 

AMAUROSIS. 

This condition is paralysis of the optic nerve. It is some- 
times called Gutta Serena or Glass Eye. The eye is insensible 
and there is total blindness. It is common in people and horses 
and rare in cattle and dogs. The causes of the affection con ; 



252 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

sist of tumors and other diseases of the brain implicating the 
optic nerve. Injury to the nerve between the brain and the eye 
and inflammation of the roots and also the endings of the nerve 
or undue pressure upon the same from inflammatory effusion are 
etiological factors. Optic palsy may also occur from an over- 
loaded stomach, from a profuse hemorrhage, and even from pres- 
sure of the gravid womb in gestation. 

Semeiology. — Wide dilatation of the pupils is a marked symp- 
tom. The whole interior of the eyeball is exposed and the ex- 
pansion remains the same in light and darkness. The horse does 
not swerve when a feint to strike is made unless the hand causes 
a current of air to come against the face. The ears are held 
erect and turn quickly at any noise. The animal steps high to 
avoid stumbling. 

Treatment. — Treatment is only useful when the disease is 
symptomatic of some removable cause, such for instance as con- 
gested brain, an overloaded stomach or gravid womb. When re- 
covery does not follow the termination of these conditions, ap- 
ply a blister behind the ear and give y 2 dram doses of mix 
vomica daily. 

DETACHMENT OF THE RETINA. 

This occurs in case of excessive hemorrhage between the 
choroid and the retina. It produces a loss of functional activity 
of the retina and may run into amaurosis. The cause of this 
condition may be a severe blow on the head, a fit of coughing, 
etc. It is common in people and horses and dogs but is never 
seen in cattle. It frequently occurs in horses in connection with 
castration, cuts from barbed wire fences, etc. This affection 
can be cured ; amaurosis seldom. 

In treating such cases give tincture of iron and mix vomica 
internally. Inject a few drops of witch hazel (distilled extract) 
into the eye three times a day. 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 253 

STAPHYLOMA. 

This consists of a bulging forward of the cornea at a given 
point by the sacular yielding and distention of its coats. The 
tumor may be transparent or opaque. The disease is common 
in the human and dogs but rare in horses and cattle. In the 
transparent form the tumor is bulging, distended and cyst-like; 
but in the opaque the tumor is thick and is formed like a grape. 
The bulging kind is more common and it grows larger than the 
solid tumor. 

If the bulging kind is detected soon enough, puncture it and 
liberate some of the aqueous humor. This may save the eye. If 
the condition becomes chronic and a thickened mass is found on 
the outside of the cornea, it must be removed. This operation 
destroys the sight and the cornea cannot be replaced. A glass 
or rubber eye can be inserted for the sake of appearance. The 
wound should heal with little difficulty. Be sure that the instru- 
ments are sterile before operating. 

PERIODIC OPHTHALMIA. 

Other names for this condition are Specific Ophthalmia, Re- 
current Ophthalmia or Moonblindness. It is an inflammatory af- 
fection of the interior of the eye, intimately related to certain 
soils, climates and systems, showing a strong tendency to recur 
again and again, and usually ending in blindness from cataract 
or other serious injury. It is peculiar to the horse alone. 

Semeiology. — The local symptoms are in the main those of 
internal ophthalmia, with, in many cases an increased hardness 
of the eyeball from effusion into its cavity. The contracted 
pupil does not contract much in darkness nor even under the 
action of belladonna. The opacity advances from the margin 
of the cornea over its whole surface. So long as it is transpar- 
ent there can be seen a turbid aqueous humor. This may or may 
not contain floculi. The dingy iris is robbed of its clear black 
aspect, the lens is cloudy and there is a greenish yellow reflec- 
tion from the interior of the eye. From the fifth to the seventh 
day there is a floculent precipitate which forms in the lower 



254 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



part of the anterior chamber, exposing more clearly the iris 
and the lens and absorption commences. The eye will clear up 
in 10 or 15 days. 

The striking characteristic of the disease, however, is its re- 
currence again and again until blindness results. The attacks 
may follow each other at intervals of a month, more or less, but 
they show no relation to any particular phase of the moon as the 
name "moonblindness" would lead one to think. The attacks 
are rather determined by the weather, the health or the food, or 
some periodicity of the system. From five to seven attacks 
usually result in blindness in one eye and then the other runs 
through the same course. In the intervals between the attacks 
some symptoms remain which usually betray the condition. 
Even after the first attacks there can usually be seen a bluish 
ring around the margin of the cornea. The affected eye seems 
smaller than the other, at first from retraction in its socket and 
later from atrophy. The upper eyelid will have an abrupt bend 
toward its inner angle from the contraction of the levator mus- 
cle. The front of the eye has lost its lustre and the depths are 
greenish yellow. The ears are alert to compensate for the wan- 
ing vision. 

There is no doubt some specific germ responsible for periodic 
ophthalmia, but it has not been demonstrated. The periodicity 
of the disease is probably due to the manner of development of 
the micro-organism, whatever it is, whose generations die out 
-from lack of food in the anterior chamber of the eye and the 
symptoms subside until the spores develop into virulent organ- 



Etiology. — The causes may be fundamentally attributed to 
the soil. Damp clays, marshes and bottoms which have fre- 
quently been overflowed are potent causative factors. The damp 
air and wet climate react upon the animal to produce a lym- 
phatic constitution with an excess of connective tissue, bones and 
muscle of coarse, open texture, thick skins and gummy legs with 
profuse long hair. The rank fodders grown on such soils are 
other causes. Foods act by leading to constipation and under- 
mining the constitution of the animal, giving it a predisposition 
to any infection. The period of dentition and training is a 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 255 

fertile exciting cause. The great majority of victims are from 
2-6 years old. If a horse escapes the infection until after he 
is six years old, he will probably never get it. The irritation 
about the head during the rupture of teeth, the unwonted bridle 
and collar, the stimulating grain diet and the close air of the 
stable all combine to arouse the latent tendency of the disease 
in the eye. No one of these conditions would cause the attack, 
but all together have great bearing as predisposing factors at 
least. It has been alleged that the specific factor is a germ which 
is harbored in the marshy district, but it has never been found. 

Heredity is accepted by horsemen as a most potent factor, — 
one so strong that intelligent horsemen everywhere refuse to 
breed from either horse or mare that has once suffered from re- 
current ophthalmia. The French Government even refuses ser- 
vice to any mare that has once suffered with her eyes. A consid- 
eration of the future of our horses would demand the disuse of 
all sires that are unlicensed and the refusal of a license to any 
sire that has suffered from periodic ophthalmia or any other com- 
municable disease. 

Treatment. — Treatment is^ not satisfactory, but the same 
measures as are useful in internal ophthalmia help some in the 
periodic form. The affection should be treated with purgatives, 
followed by diuretics and cold applications to the eye. To 
cause dilatation of the pupil inject a solution of atropine 
(2y 2 grains to the ounce) three or four times a day. If the 
pupil does not contract after a few days, then use calabar bean. 
Give soft food, keep the animal in a cool place and let him rest. 
This will ward off the opacity for a time. During the conva- 
lescence iodide of potash will help to absorb the deposits, but 
the animal will go blind in time. Some doctors say that surgical 
treatment is the right thing and recommend tapping the eye with 
a fine-bladed knife and squeezing out the aqueous humor. This, 
at least, would relieve the intraorbital oressure. 

The prevention of the disease is the great object to be aimed 
at and this demands the most careful breeding, feeding and 
housing. The animals should be placed in a high and dry loca- 
tion and kept off the lowlands. The improvement of the land by 
drainage and cultivation, however, should be the final aim. 



THEORY AND PRACTICE 



SUN STROKE, INSOLATION, COUP DE SOLEIL, THER- 
MIC FEVER, HEAT STROKE, COUP DE CHALEUR, 
HITZSCHLAG, SONNENSTICH, ICTUS SOUS, 
INSOLATIO, SIRIASIS, OVER HEATING. 

Definition. — Under these various names the diseased condi 
tion, in which an excessively high temperature, nervous prostra- 
tion, insensibility, coma and death are the prominent features,, 
occurs. - 

Nature.— It is an auto-intoxication with fatigue toxines and 
toxic decomposition products due to overwork in hot weather. 

The heat of warm blooded animals is produced by chemic 
metabolism, and is regulated by the thermal center in the medulla 
oblongata. The natural channels through which heat is lost 
are, according to Helmholtz, 2>4% by the solid and fluid egesta, 
S}i% by warming inspired air, 14^4% by evaporation of the 
water carried out by the expired air ,and 77y 2 % by radiation. 

Alexander Lambert gives the normal loss of animal heat as 
follows : 2.6% by warming food and drink, 2.6% by warming in- 
spired air, 14.7% by evaporation and 80.1% by radiation. These 
losses are affected by meteorological conditions. In very hot 
weather the loss caused by warming the food, drink and inspired 
air is almost nil, and in hot, humid weather, with low baromet- 
ric pressure, especially if there is no breeze, evaporation and 
radiation are reduced to a minimum. When the barometer is 
high the nerve tonus is good, the animal feels well and evapora- 
tion keeps pace with the perspiration. Then there are no sun- 
strokes, but when the barometer is low, the weather hot and 
humid, the animal feels languid, perspiration is profuse, and 
evaporation is nil sunstrokes are common. Consequently sun- 
strokes are common on the Atlantic coast, in the region of the 
great lakes and in tropical climates, but in the Northwestern 
States they are rare. 

Etiology. — A condition of cerebral hyperaemia may come on 
from excessively active exercise in hot weather, attended by 
convulsions, syncope, coma and death. This is most often seen 
in dogs. 

In the horse the predisposing causes are old age, overwork 



OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 257 

or indigestion. The exciting causes are hard work in hot, humid 
weather with low barometer, insufficient water supply, over 
heating in horses working between other horses in three horse 
teams or gangs. 

Symptomatology. — At first there is profuse perspiration, then 
the horse begins to pant and the sweat dries up; he now begins 
to stagger, becomes insensible, goes down, is unable to rise, soon 
becomes comatose, the surface of the body is dry and hot, the 
temperature is 109 to 112° F., the mucous membranes get livid, 
the pulse rapid and weak, the respirations at first are rapid, and 
as coma develops they get slower and finally stertorous. Death 
in bad cases follows in half an hour to four or five hours. 

Prognosis. — With a temperature of 109 J a horse will usu- 
ally recover if he receives prompt and proper treatment. 110° 
or higher will usually prove fatal, unless the treatment is very 
prompt and the horse is strong. 

Special Pathology. — There is a condition of anhydraemia. 
The blood is thick, slightly if any coagulated, nearly black, with 
extensive destruction of red corpuscles. The lungs are con- 
gested, the right side of the heart is nearly empty, the left side 
is full of black nearly fluid blood, the brain is congested and the 
chromophylic plagues or Nissl bodies are broken up, the liver 
and kidneys are congested, and the spleen is somewhat enlarged. 

Sequalae. — Supersensitiveness to heat that lasts the balance 
of the season, and sometimes for ever after. This is manifested 
by panting on slight exertion in hot weather, and staggering from 
slight cerebral congestion. Some cases become dummies. 

Treatment. — Get the patient into the shade as soon as pos- 
sible. Give him half a pint of whisky in as much water. Give 
a grain of strychnia hypodermatically, and a dose of nitroglycer- 
ine if necessary; dram doses of acetanilid will assist in reduc- 
ing the temperature which must be brought about promptly. To 
aid in doing this put sacks of ice on the head and neck, and 
spray the body with cold water by pinching the end of a hose 
pointed upwards so as to let the water come down on to him 
like rain. Take his temperature every fifteen minutes and stop 
the spraying when it is reduced to 103°. If kept up longer it is 
apt to fall below the normal. In addition to the above, if the 
initial temperature is 110' or higher, give rectal injections of 



258 THEORY AND PRACTICE 

cold water with a fountain syringe. During convalescence give 
mix, aromatic spirits of ammonia, gentian, light diet and long 
rest. 

Prevention. — When horses come in from work hot, sponge 
them over with cold water and let them dry. Give internally 
aromatic spirits of ammonia and nux and tie the horses outside 
in the open air. Do not put them into the stable nor feed them 
till they are well cooled out. During this time give them cold 
water to drink in small quantities and often. If treated in this 
way they will be ready for work next day, but if not they will 
go out tired next morning and probably collapse before night. 
When a horse begins to pant collapse is imminent, consequently 
he should be driven into the shade, unharnessed, sponged off, 
watered and, when able, driven home. 

DEATH BY LIGHTNING. 

Post Mortem findings in death from electricity. 

First : — Rigor Mortis is always quick, second or third hour, 
in fifty minutes in one case. 

Second : — Points of Penetration show more or less burns. 
Points of exit show less burning than those of entrance. 

Third: — If body is opened immediately the heart is lax, both 
ventricles full and the auricles pulsating rhythmically. If Post 
is delayed fifteen minutes or more the left ventricle is some- 
times found empty and firmly contracted. 

Fourth :— The arteries are contracted to the limit, the blood 
being forced into the large veins of the trunk and head. 

Fifth : — Viscera engorged. 

Sixth: — Nervous system presents no change either macrosco- 
pical or microscopical. Molecular changes are supposed to 
occur but not proven. Brain is sometimes seen with gross des- 
truction of peripheral cortex with intracranial hemorrhage. 

Cause of Death. — Paralysis of the heart in ventricular tre- 
mulation in case of a low pressure current, (syncope) and inhibi- 
tion of the respiratory center in high pressure current 
(asphyxia). 

Treatment. — Artificial respiration and Faradic current to the 
precordium, diaphragm and epigastric region. Also bromides 
and strvchnine. 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

Abscess-Post Pharyngeal 54 

Active Congestion 20 

Acute Bronchitis 56 

Acute Farcy 160 

Acute 'Gastric Indigestion 108 

Acute Indigestion . . . . 105 

Acute Inflammatory Diseases- 193 
Acute Parenchymatous Nephri- 
tis 210 

Acute Laryngitis 47 

Adhesion 28 

Agglutination Test 164 

Albuminuria '. 204 

Albumin-Test for in Urine • • • . 204 

Amaurosis 251 

Anaemia • 14 

Anaemia-Cerebral •• . . 232 

Anal Fistula 136 

Anasarca 174 

Aneurism 201 

Angina Pectoris 180 

Angiomata 217 

Anthrax 152 

Anus-Imperforated 137 

Apoplexy 192-232 

Appetite Capricious 109 

Arteritis 201 

Articular Rheumatism 178 

Ascaris Megalocephala 125 

Ascites 140 

Asphyxia 31 

Asthma . 67 

Atelectasis . . 56 

Atrophy of Bone 226 

Atrophy of Heart 198 

Auscultation 39 

Azoturia 185 

B 

B acillus Anthracis 153 

Bacillus Malleus 158 

Balls-Dust 133 

Bastard Strangles •••••. 167 

Bean 213 



PAGE 

Big Head 226 

Bile-Reabsorption of 148 

-Suppression of 148 

Biliary Congestion of Liver... 145 

Bladder-Eversion of the 216 

-Rupture of 215 

Blind Staggers 231 

Blood-The 13 

Bloodvessels-Diseases of .... 201 

Bloody Flux 141 

Urine 205 

Blue Disease 192 

Bone-Atrophy of 226 

Bones-Diseases of 222 

Botrymoycosis 170 

Bots 116 

Braxy 153 

Bright's Disease 204-210 

Broken Wind 61 

Bronchiolitis 58 

Bronchitis 55 

-Acute 56 

Bronchocele 221 

Broncho-Pneumonia 56 

Brown Atrophy of Heart-... 199 
Buccal Membrane-Congestion 

of • 90 

Bull Burnt 244 

Burnt Dog • . 244 

Bursatti 169 



C achexia 248 

Calculi . . ._ 133 

-Salivary 96 

Callus 230 , 

Cankers 169 

Capricious Appetite 109 

Carbuncle 213 

-Contagious •• 153 

Caries • 224 

Catarrh 41 

-Chronic 44 



260 



index — Continued. 



PAGE 

Cerebral Anaemia 232 

-Congestion 231 

-Embolus 232 

-Hemorrhage and Men- 
ingitis 232 

-Softening 234 

Cerebritis 232 

Charbon 152 

Choking 100 

Chondroma 217 

Chorea 241 

Chronic Catarrh 44 

-Cough 52 

-Farcy 160 

-Gastritis 113 

"Heparitis 146 

-Indigestion 105 

-Laryngitis 50 

-Rhinitis 44 

Cirrhosis of Liver 146 

Classification of Disease. ...... 13 

Colic-Flatulent 129 

-Spasmodic 126 

Coma 31 

Conditioning of Horse 69 

Congestion 19 

-Active 20 

Congestion-Cerebral 231 

Congestion-Hypostatic 20 

-Passive 22 

-Physiological 20 

-Post Mortem 116 

Constipation 116 

Constitutional Osteo Porosis- • 226 

Contagious Carbuncle 153 

Contagious Pleuro- Pneumonia 

of Cattle j6 

Contagious Pneumonia 72-76 

-Stomatitis 152 

Corn Stalk Disease 171 

Coryza Contagiosa Equorum . . 167 

Cough-Chronic 52 

Cornea Inflammation 250 

-Opaque 249 

-Ulceration of 250 

Coughing 40 

Coup de Chaleur 256 

Coup de Soleil 256 

Crepitation 41 

Cribbing 113 

Crick Back 237 

Cyanosis 192 

Cvstitis 212 



PAGE 

Cystitis- Serous 221 

Cysts 220 

-Deutigerous 222 

-Ovarian 221 

D 

D eath 28 

Death by Lightning 258 

Dentigerous Cysts 222 

Detachment of the Retina-... 252 

Diabetes Insipidus 206 

-Mellitus 207 

Diagnosis 13 

Diarrhoea 121 

-Acute 123 

-Chronic 124 

Dicrotic Pulse 17 

Digestive System-Diseases of.. 88 

Diphtheria 55 

Diseases- Acute Inflammatory.. 193 

Disease-Classification of 13 

Disease in General 

Rational Treatment of.. 34 

Diseases-Constitutional 150 

Diseases of Abdominal Glands. 143 
Diseases of Blood Vessels.... 201 
Diseases of the Circulatory 

System 189 

Diseases of the Nervous Sys- 
tem 231 

Diseases of the Organs of Spe- 
cial Sense 247 

Diseases of the Reproductive 

System 242 

Diseases of the Urinary Sys- 
tem 202 

Diseases-Respiratory 39 

Disinfection of Stables 163 

Disorganization 28 

Dourine 242 

Dropsy of the Ovaries 245 

Dropsy of the Womb 246 

Druse 167 

Dry Gangrene 24 

Dummy 235 

Dust Balls 133 

Dysentery 141 

Dyspepsia 10S 

Dyspnoea 40 

Dysuria 212 



index — Continued. 



261 



E 

PAGE 

Ecchymosis 21 

Ectopia Cordis 201 

Ectropium 249 

Embolus-Cerebral 232 

Emesis 103 

Emphysema-Pulmonary 61 

Empyema 82 

Endocarditis 194 

Endothelioma . . . v 217 

Enteritis 138 

Engorgement of Stomach .... 105 

Entropium 249 

Enuresis 214 

Ephemeral Fever 35 

Epitheliomata 217 

Epizootic Lymphangitis 183 

Equine Syphilis 242 

Eructations 106 

Etiology 12 

Eversion of the Rectum 135 

F 

F abricula 35 

Fainting 192 

Farcy 157 

Fatty Degeneration 199 

Fever-Ephemeral 35 

-Mixture 37 

-Putrid 152 

-Rational Treatment of. 35 

-Splenic 152 

Fibrinous Stage 58 

Fibroma 219 

Filaria Oculi . 251 

Fistula-Anal 136 

-Intestinal 132 

-Salivary 96 

Flatulence-Gastric 105 

Flooding 206 

Flukes 149 

Flux-Bloody 141 

Flying Rheumatism 178 

Foetal Lung 56-59 

Friction Sounds 41 

G 

C angrene 23 

Gargle-Iron 50 

Gastric Flatulence 105 

-Indigestion-Acute 108 

-Indigestion-Chronic . • • 108 



PAQE 

Gastritis in 

-Chronic 113 

Glanders 157 

Glass Eye . , 251 

Gleet-Nasal 44 

Glioma 217 

Glossitis 93 

Glycosuria 207 

Goitre 221 

Gourme 167 

Grunting 40 

Gut-Tie 133 

Gut-Twist 133 

Gutta Serena 251 

H 

H aematoides Fungus 248 

Haemorrhoids 136 

Healing of Bone 229 

Heart •. ...198 

-Atrophy 198 

-Dilatation of 197 

-Fatty Degeneration of . . 199 

Failure-Sudden 29 

-Hypertrophy 197-198 

-Inflammation of Serous 

Sack of 193 

-Inflammation of Valves 

of 194 

-Muscle Inflammation . . 197 

-Obesity of 200 

-Polypi 200 

-Rupture of 200 

-Tumors 200 

Heat Stroke 256 

Heaves 61 

Hematuria 205 

Hemophilia 14-21 

Hemorrhage by Rhexis 139 

Hemorrhagic Infraction 68 

Hepatitis 146 

-Chronic 146 

Hitzschlag 256 

Horse Sickness 152 

How to Kill a Horse 32 

Hydrometra 246 

Hydropnobia 155 

Hydrothorax 81 

Hyperemia 19 

Hypertrophy of Heart 197-198 

Hypostatic Congestion 20 

Hysteria 246 



262 



index — Continued. 



i 

PAGE 

Icterus \ 143-147 

Ictus Solis 256 

Imperforated Anus ......... 137 

Indigestion 104 

-Acute 104 

-Chronic 104 

-Subacute 104 

Induration 28 

Inflammation 26 

-of the Bowels 138 

-of the Conjunctiva . . • • 247 

Influenza 172 . 

Insolation 256 

Inspection 38 

Institutes of Medicine 11 

Intermittent Pulse 17 

Intersit'al Pneumonia of 

Glanders 76 

Intestinal Fistula 132 

Obstructions 132 

Wall Rupture 137 

Introduction 9 

Intussusception 134 

Iron Gargle 50 

Irregular Pulse 17 

Irritant 25 

Ischuria . 214 

Itching 149 

J 

J aundice 143 

K 

K eratitis 250 

Kidneys -Hyperaemia of the... 209 
Kidneys-Inflammation ........ 209 

Killing of Horse 32 

L 

L ampas • • • 90 

Laryngitis 46 

-Acute 47 

-Chronic • • • 50 

-Necrotic 47 

Laryngo-Pharyngitis 47 

Leiomyoma 222 

Leucoma *• • • 249 

Leucorrhoea .... 245 

Lipoma . 217 



PAGE 

Liver-Cirrhosis of the 146 

-Congestion of 143 

-(Active-Passive-Biliary) 143. 

-Fatty Degeneration of . . 147 

-Inflammation of the . . 146 

Locomotor Ataxia 237 

Loodiana Disease 152 

Lymphadenitis 181 

- ■ Adenoma 149 

Lymphangitis ... t8i 

-Epizootic - J83, 

-Ulcerative 183 

Lumbago 178-179 

Lumbago 178-179 

M 

Mad Staggers 233. 

Malignant Pox 242 

-J " stile 153 

Mallein Test 161-164-166 

Malleus-Baccilus 158 

Massage of the Bowels 121 

Masturbation 247 

Mechanical Engorgement 68 

Meconium-dry 118 

Megrims 231 

Meningitis-Cerebral 232 

Mensuration 30 

Metastatic Rheumatism 178 

Milzbrand 152 

Moist Gangrene 23 

Monday Morning Sickness .... 181 

Moonblindness 253 

Morve-La 157 

Muscle Tumors 222 

Muscular Rheumatism 178 

Myelitis 235 

Myocarditis * • • • 197 

Myomata 217-222 

Myxoma 217 

N 

N asal Gleet 44 

Nausea 106 

Necrosis of Bone 225 

Necrotic Laryngitis 47 

Negri Bodies 156 

Nephritis 209 

Nervous System-Diseases of-- 231 

Neuralgia 17S 

Neuromata 217 

Nicolaier Bacillus 238 



index — Continued. 



263 



PAGE 

Noncontagious Pneumonia ... 72 
Normal Respiration of Horse- 36 

Nosology 33 

Nymphomania 246 

o 

O besity of the Heart 200 

Obstructions-Intestinal 132 

Oedema 21 

Oedema Glottidis • • . ■ 47 

Oesophagismus 99 

Oesophagitis 98 

Oesophagus-Diseases of 102 

Oesophagus-Organic Diseases 

of _ 102 

Onanism 247 

Opaque Cornea 249 

Ophthalmia Periodic 253 

-Recurrent 253 

-Simple 247 

-Specific 253 

Organs of Special Sense-Dis- 
eases of 247 

Organization 28 

Orthotonos 238 

Ossium-Fragilitis 228 

Osteitis 222 

Osteoclasts • 230 

Osteosclerosis 223 1 

Osteoma 217' 

Osteomalacia 227 

Osteomyelitis 224 

Osteoporosis 223 

-Constitutional 226 

Ovaries-Dropsy of the 245 

Overheating 256 

Oxaluria 208 

Oxyuris Curvula 125 

Ozena 44 



Palatine Artery Hemorrhage.. 91 

Palpation 39 

Palpitation 190 

Palsy 235 

Pancreas-Fatty Degeneration.. 150 

Paracentesis Thoracis 85 

Paralysis 235 

-of Throat 52 

Paraphimosis 245 

Paraplegia 235 

Parasite 150 



PAGE 

Paresis 235 

Parotid Gland Inflammation • • 94 

Parotiditis 94 

Pasty Mouth 122 

Pathogeny 12 

Pathology x 1 

-General 11 

Percussion 39 

Pericarditis 194 

Periodic Ophthalmia 253 

Periostitis 223 

Peristalsis-Defective 118 

Peritonitis 140 

Petorchial Typhus 152 

Petechiae 21 

Pharyngitis 98 

Phlebitis 202 

Phymosis 244 

Piles-Bleeding 136 

Pin Worms 125 

Plethora 14 

Pleural Adhesions 84 

Pleurisy 79 

PI euro-Pneumonia 72 

Pleuro-Pneumonia of Cattle.. 76 

Pneumonia 71 

-Broncho 56-72 

-of Glanders-Interstitial 76 

Polypi of the Heart 200 

Polyuria 109-206 

Post Mortem Congestion .... 116 

Post Pharyngeal Abscess 54 

Pox-Simple and Malignant... 242 

Ptyalism 95 

Protozoon 150 

Pulmonary Apoplexy 68 

-Congestion 68 

-Emphysema 61 

Pulsating Tumor 201 

Pulse 14 

-Dicrotic 17 

-Frequent 16 

-Hard and Soft 17 

-Irregular 17 

-Intermittent 17 

-Venous 18 

Purpura Hemorrhagica 174 

Pustule-Malignant 153 

Putrid Fever 152 

Pyogenic Fever 167 



Quinsy . 53 



264 



index — Continued. 



R 

PAGE 

Rabies 155 

Rachitis 228 

Rales 41 

Ranula 221 

Rational Treatment of Disease 

in General 34 

Rational Treatment of Fever.. 35 

Rectum-Eversion of the 135 

-Tenesmus of 141 

Recurrent Ophthalmia 253 

Renal Calculus 211 

-Congestion 209 

Reproductive System-Diseases 

of the 242 

Respiratory Diseases 39 

Results of Active Congestion. 23 
Retina-Detachment of the.... 252 

Rhabdomyoma 222 

Rhexis-Hemorrhage by 139 

Rheumatic Fever jyy 

Rheumatism 177 

Rhinitis 41 

Rickets 228 

Roaring 40-51 

Rotzkrankheit 157 

Rupture of Heart 200 

-of Intestinal Wall .... 137 

s 

Saccharomyces Farciminosus- 183 

Sales Stable Fever 76-84 

Salivary Calculi 96 

-Fistula 96 

Sarcoma 217 

Scarlatina 176 

Sciatica 178-179 

Scirrhous Cord 222 

Sclerosis of the Cord 237 

Sclerostoma Equinum 125 

Scouring 125 

Segmentation of Heart Fibres- 200 

Shakes 181 

Shipping Fever j6 

Shivers 241 

Sibilant Sounds 58 

Simple Pox 242 

Sinusitis 45 

Siriasis 256 

'Sitfast 24 

Sneezing 41 

Snoring _ 4,1 

Sonnenstich 256 

Sore Throat 47 



PAGE 

Spasmodic Colic 126 

Specific Ophthalmia 253 

Sphacelation 47 

Spleen • 149 

Splenic Fever 152 

'Staggers-Stomach 105-108 

Staphyloma 253 

Sthenic Syncope 29 

Stomach-Diseases of 103 

-Engorgement 105 

-Rupture of 114 

-Staggers 105-108 

Stomatitis 92 

Stomatitis Pustulosa Contagi- 
osa 92-152 

Strausstest 164 

Stricture 133 

'Strangles • 167 

Strangury 215 

Streptococcus Equi 167 

Strongylus Armatus 125 

Subacute Indigestion 105 

Subacute Rhinitis 43 

Succussion 39 

Sun Stroke 256 

Superpurgation 122 

Suppuration 58 

Surra 171 

Symptomatology 12 

Syncope 192 

-Sthenic 29 

Syphilis Equine 242 

T 

Tabes Dorsalis 237 

Tapping r< 130 

Teeth-bearing Cysts 222 

Temperature 18 

Tenesmus 212 

-of Rectum 141 

Teratomata 217 

Tetanus 238 

Thermic Fever 256 

Thirst-Excessive 109 

Throat-Diseases of 98 

-Paralysis of 52 

Thrombosis 24-201 

Thrush-Baby's 92 

Thumps 191 

Torti Colis 180 

Tracheotomy 50 

Trismus 238 

Trypanosoma Equiperdum- • . . 243 

Trypanosoma Evansi iji 

Trypanosomiasis 171 



index — Continued. 



265 



PAGE 

Tumor-Pulsating 201 

Tumors of the Heart 200 

Tumors 216 

Tympanitis 129 

Tympanitis of the Rumen.... 101 

Typhoid Fever 141 

U 

Ulceration of the Cornea 250 

Ulcerative Lymphangitis 183 

Unthriftiness 110 

Uraemia 187 

Urethritis 215-244 

Urinary ^System-Diseases of.. 202 

Urine-Bloody 205 

-Incontinence 214 

-Sugar in 207 

-Suppression of the . . • • 214 

Uterine Haemorrhage 192 

V 

Vaccination . 151 

Valvulitis 194- 



page 

Varicose Veins - 202 

Variola 151 

Varix 202 

Veins-Inflammation of 202 

-Dilated 202 

-Varicose 202 

Venous Pulse 18 

Verminous Cyst 126 

Vertigo 231 

Volvulus 133 

Vomition 103-114 

w 

Weed 181 

Wheezing 41-51-67 

Whelfinof 67 

Whistling 40-51 

Wind Sucking 113 

Womb-Dropsy of the 246 

Woolsorter's Disease 152 

Worms in Colic 125 

-Armed 126 

-Common Pin 126 

-Large Round 126 



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